Today at work we had a raging argument whether or not "irregardless" is a real word. I therefore offer the same argument to the blog for further comment.
This is from webster's online dictionary... -VG
Main Entry: ir·re·gard·less Pronunciation: "ir-i-'gärd-l&sFunction: adverbEtymology: probably blend of irrespective and regardlessnonstandard : REGARDLESSusage Irregardless originated in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. The most frequently repeated remark about it is that "there is no such word." There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead.
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16 comments:
I hear it all the time and I too have thought that there is no such word. I do not, however correct people on their speech like some Van's I know (big sis)! - themo
I would never use "irregardless" in a term paper (mostly just cos it looks weird) but I firmly believe that any word is usable as long as people understand what you're trying to say. If I say "Irregardless of your opinion Mr. Schultz, the holocaust happened", then Schultz would understand my point that I do not consider his opinions worthy of regard. However, he would probably retort, "Regardless, there are just too many jews" and he would be more correct. In regards to grammar, not jews. (nice save). -the nay
What is with people using crazy words? How about my favorite "Ascared" aka "Scared" or "Fixen"? People use these words all the time but that does not make them actual words. Basically it just makes people sound like a PWTT (poor white trash Texans). Irregardless I am fixen to take a shower but I am ascared of the water. ;)Snippy
I hear this all the time as well and I think the potentialilty for this word to be used is great. I find it fascinating how you can comingilate English words.
Step aside, step aside. Allow K-Rock, aka Merriam Webster, to settle this debate and #1 pet peeve. Irregardless is a double negative contained within a single word, thus it is NOT a word. Please don't embarrass yourselves, just publicly humiliate those who make the unfortunate decision to use it. If you need pointers on how this can be done, I'm available.
Correcting People 101 by Prof. KRock. I'm In
This is according to the University of Phoenix website on commonly misused words...
Regardless of what you have heard, “irregardless” is a redundancy. The suffix “-less” on the end of the word already makes the word negative. It doesn’t need the negative prefix “ir-” added to make it even more negative.
BUT I would argue that it IS a word. It's just used incorrectly. It's a stupid word and I wouldn't use it, but the words exists and that settles that.
-=care bear
Clearly, Care Bear and Nay haven't felt the sting of humiliation -courtesy of yours truly, in quite a while. What's more public than the internet? Although they are faced with the truth via dictionaries, UoP website info, common sense, intelligent thought, etc., they still have a "devil may care" attitude toward their mother tongue. They're showing their affinity for bucking the system; their badge of honor. Bottom line: Irregardless is not a word, and if you use it / support it's use, you're JANK! Ooohhhhh SNAP!
Far be it for me to contradict K-Rock, but Nay and Care Bear’s devil-may-care-attitude toward the English language is one of the beautiful things about English. People use words that aren’t really words all of the time, and when enough people use them they can “become” words. Kinda like Pinocchio. He just wanted to be a real little boy, but there that stupid talking cricket and people who wanted to make an ass out of him, and the fact that when he lied his nose was some sort of sick phalli – well nevermind. Anyway, the word “D’oh” is an example of an expression that becomes official. People who use irregardless are communicating - they are communicating their ignorance and general stupidity which do deserve to be mocked - but their irreverence towards English is one of the things that keep the language fresh. Kinda like our blog.
Peace out
Homer
Who is Homer...? The Mo's man?
Homer is my love slave.
Homerclese cares not for beans. I went with Homer over EvilHomer because I'd like to think that the war between good and evil inside me is not determined quite yet.
True genius resides in the capacity for evaluation of uncertain, hazardous, and conflicting information.
-Winston Churchill.
Oh weird, did you guys just see that? Winston Churchill totally just said K-Rock wasn't smart cos she has to follow the rules. That's pretty harsh, Winston. I mean, she may be a stickler for rules, but you don't gotta lay the smackdown like that... Or maybe you do. Maybe you do......
Irregardless, Vanilla Gorilla know's how to get one hell of a conversation going. The rest of poset-starting-chumps can only gather three or four comments on your week topic posts! Can you smell what the the VG is cooking?
I know, I know... read it before you post it. I can hear it already. You get the general idea.
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