Comments on: Aback http://www.word-detective.com/2012/04/aback/ Semper Ubi Sub Ubi Wed, 20 Mar 2013 19:32:55 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Alan http://www.word-detective.com/2012/04/aback/comment-page-1/#comment-40533 Alan Sat, 16 Jun 2012 18:20:31 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=6650#comment-40533 I looked this up to verify before commenting on a student's story. (Yes, Internet Generation, the apostrophe means it belongs to the student, not that there are multiple students.) In reading students' (Oh, what does that apostrophe mean!? Tricky language!) stories I often come across misheard idioms. My first discovery was the phrase 'mine as well' intending to mean 'might as well'. That was the first time I'd ever heard it wrong like that. I have to agree with the author that misheard idioms are a sign of auditory learners. I often think those same thoughts to myself, "you cannot have read much worth reading without encountering (said phrase)." To me, it is a sign of illiteracy, and the growing number of students using these meaninglesss phrases are demonstrating to me that we will eventually become an illiterate society. I looked this up to verify before commenting on a student’s story. (Yes, Internet Generation, the apostrophe means it belongs to the student, not that there are multiple students.) In reading students’ (Oh, what does that apostrophe mean!? Tricky language!) stories I often come across misheard idioms. My first discovery was the phrase ‘mine as well’ intending to mean ‘might as well’. That was the first time I’d ever heard it wrong like that. I have to agree with the author that misheard idioms are a sign of auditory learners. I often think those same thoughts to myself, “you cannot have read much worth reading without encountering (said phrase).” To me, it is a sign of illiteracy, and the growing number of students using these meaninglesss phrases are demonstrating to me that we will eventually become an illiterate society.

]]> By: Levicula http://www.word-detective.com/2012/04/aback/comment-page-1/#comment-40288 Levicula Wed, 13 Jun 2012 05:12:03 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=6650#comment-40288 Well, if we're going to be hopelessly pedantic and traditional, let me just say: I'm awful that a scholar of language would think so, but that's a nice conclusion, so there is little else to say! Well, if we’re going to be hopelessly pedantic and traditional, let me just say: I’m awful that a scholar of language would think so, but that’s a nice conclusion, so there is little else to say!

]]> By: Ashley Bailey http://www.word-detective.com/2012/04/aback/comment-page-1/#comment-39606 Ashley Bailey Wed, 16 May 2012 14:58:17 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=6650#comment-39606 Besides, the idiomatic “taken back” is very strong indeed; why else would it be gradually replacing the dusty and hoary “aback”? Why else? Surely because the functionally illiterate are gaining influence and wealth in our society? Besides, the idiomatic “taken back” is very strong indeed; why else would it be gradually replacing the dusty and hoary “aback”?

Why else? Surely because the functionally illiterate are gaining influence and wealth in our society?

]]> By: Wilson http://www.word-detective.com/2012/04/aback/comment-page-1/#comment-38385 Wilson Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:39:49 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=6650#comment-38385 I never seen it used, but I think I would tend to confuse it with "I was taken back to (the time when)..." “I don’t think I was ever so taken back in all my life,” sounds like something powerfully triggered a memory. Granted there may more more context, but these kinds of phrases can also just be thrown out there I never seen it used, but I think I would tend to confuse it with “I was taken back to (the time when)…” “I don’t think I was ever so taken back in all my life,” sounds like something powerfully triggered a memory. Granted there may more more context, but these kinds of phrases can also just be thrown out there

]]> By: Vox Rationis http://www.word-detective.com/2012/04/aback/comment-page-1/#comment-38360 Vox Rationis Sun, 29 Apr 2012 02:02:38 +0000 http://www.word-detective.com/?p=6650#comment-38360 "The phrase “taken back,” unlike “taken aback,” has no single strong idiomatic meaning. It could apply to one person “taking back” a gift, an army “taking back” territory, a person “taking back” an insult to a friend, and so on." Context, my dear etymologist, will easily illuminate the different meanings for a native speaker! Besides, the idiomatic "taken back" is very strong indeed; why else would it be gradually replacing the dusty and hoary "aback"? “The phrase “taken back,” unlike “taken aback,” has no single strong idiomatic meaning. It could apply to one person “taking back” a gift, an army “taking back” territory, a person “taking back” an insult to a friend, and so on.”

Context, my dear etymologist, will easily illuminate the different meanings for a native speaker!

Besides, the idiomatic “taken back” is very strong indeed; why else would it be gradually replacing the dusty and hoary “aback”?

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