[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by tilt

A rebuttal to this (one I do not subscribe to) could be that "upgradation" is the process (or the actual action) of upgrading

In over 15 years of working with computers, and having been involved in many an upgrade, I must have spoken of the process in just about every possible grammatical form. I never heard of, let alone used, the word upgradation. It is a completely unnecessary word

Originally Posted by am1m

I actually change/correct this particular usage a lot in the kind of work I do! So as of today, I'll agree with you.

This addition of syllables is, in my humble opinion (IMHO) the result of, first, not being aware that they are unnecessary and, second, thinking the result looks fancier.

But again, the word 'upgrade' itself has some origin. One online reference says it's 1873 as a noun, 1901 as a verb. So, its usage has evolved too.

I actually find it hard to imagine what it might have meant to me before my computing lifetime began. I probably didn't use it much.

I'm not making a case for lazy writing, I'm just saying that our version of 'correct' English (or any language) is based on simply what we were taught was correct at that time, or what we got used to. (And that's a bit like 'my generation had the best music' )

It's a good point. In fact, I even make a point of using an old dictionary!

I hope you all find that underwhelming!

Yes, language changes, and sometimes in good ways. Dickens's English is not my English. I spent a few pages of a book wondering why a guy would go out marketing, before realising that it must have been the US English for shopping!

[ex-innova-guy]

Over-speeding is a word that is quite often mentioned on the forum, while the correct one is speeding.

Speeding means driving faster than allowed in a particular area.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

*SNIP* This addition of syllables is, in my humble opinion (IMHO) the result of, first, not being aware that they are unnecessary and, second, thinking the result looks fancier. *SNIP*

"Preventative", anyone? Or "orientated"?

Cheers

[Thad E Ginathom]

hahaha... one of the oldest is probably flammable and inflammable.

And why is there no unflammable? Wait, internet says there is. Internet says there is both unflammable and uninflammable.

[tilt]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

hahaha... one of the oldest is probably flammable and inflammable.

And why is there no unflammable? Wait, internet says there is. Internet says there is both unflammable and uninflammable.

Er... inflamable. one m for this but two for flammable.

Cheers

[Thad E Ginathom]

that truck was an uncontrolled cannon.

Loose cannon is the correct idiom.

Next, let us consider the word damaged, as one might after encountering a loose cannon. Something cannot be completely damaged: it would be destroyed. Partly damaged is also not right: just say damaged!

I think these mistakes are now embedded, at least in Indian English, so we have to put up with them, but that does not mean that we have to make them!

[tilt]

Originally Posted by Thad E Ginathom

*SNIP* Something cannot be completely damaged: it would be destroyed. Partly damaged is also not right: just say damaged!*SNIP*

Same as being "slightly dead" and "very dead" eh

Cheers

[Thad E Ginathom]

Originally Posted by tilt

"slightly dead" and "very dead" eh

More like opposite? Something can be slightly damaged or badly damaged,

Reminds me of a very old tale. The parents interrogating the teenager:

"Are you pregnant?"

"Only a bit..."

[dailydriver]

Deccan Herald uses an archaic idiom much of a muchness in a writeup.



Has it been used correctly?

[Thad E Ginathom]

Can't say that I have heard it in India, but otherwise I would not say that it is archaic.

I think what the reporter really meant is not much to speak about. Much of a muchness is more like more of the same.