You're absolutely right, though, that people do not have gender.
Tom Send a noteboard - 02/06/2010 01:42:10 PM
I accept that language evolves. On the other hand, that doesn't excuse people to just ignore every language rule ever created, ESPECIALLY when it's a rule that most people follow. It's standard for people to say "minutiae" (which is, incidentally, correct). It's also common to see "octopi" (Tim, shudder a bit) so I might not correct that.
In order for you to invoke the "language evolves" argument, you have to show that people are commonly making the mistake, as opposed to show that ONE PERSON commonly makes the mistake.
In order for you to invoke the "language evolves" argument, you have to show that people are commonly making the mistake, as opposed to show that ONE PERSON commonly makes the mistake.
Political correctness is the pettiest form of casuistry.
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
ἡ δὲ κἀκ τριῶν τρυπημάτων ἐργαζομένη ἐνεκάλει τῇ φύσει, δυσφορουμένη, ὅτι δὴ μὴ καὶ τοὺς τιτθοὺς αὐτῇ εὐρύτερον ἢ νῦν εἰσι τρυπώη, ὅπως καὶ ἄλλην ἐνταῦθα μίξιν ἐπιτεχνᾶσθαι δυνατὴ εἴη. – Procopius
Ummaka qinnassa nīk!
*MySmiley*
Excruciatingly painful minutia of my life
- 02/06/2010 12:00:19 AM
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It's "minutiae" - otherwise it's in the singular. *NM*
- 02/06/2010 12:36:54 AM
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Not really. The English usage/spelling of the word is minutia.
- 02/06/2010 12:44:06 AM
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~pulls up a lawn chair with cold drinks and popcorn and settles in~ *NM*
- 02/06/2010 12:47:15 AM
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LOL
- 02/06/2010 12:52:44 AM
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I'd say "stadia" and "podia" if for some reason I were inclined to make those words plural.
- 02/06/2010 05:00:53 AM
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I didn't say that they were the same usage rules.
- 02/06/2010 06:18:53 AM
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You're absolutely right, though, that people do not have gender.
- 02/06/2010 01:42:10 PM
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Don't people have both gender (social construct) and sex (biological fact)? *NM*
- 02/06/2010 11:25:36 PM
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No, people do not have a gender.
- 03/06/2010 12:16:18 AM
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The OED doesn't give any example of "minutia" being used as plural. *NM*
- 02/06/2010 12:53:23 AM
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I didn't consult the OED. I feel sad for you that you felt the need to do so.
- 02/06/2010 12:58:12 AM
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I think the point is that most people use "minutiae" and never use the singular.
- 02/06/2010 01:02:22 AM
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Of course it has more entries.
- 02/06/2010 01:12:31 AM
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let me see if I've got this....
- 02/06/2010 01:23:55 AM
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You won't be laughing when I release that licking sex picture to the mediums!
- 02/06/2010 01:27:39 AM
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What will the mediums do? Commune with the ghost of Buddy Holly to get his opinion? *NM*
- 02/06/2010 01:43:35 AM
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No, the Big Bopper. You know it's him when he says "Hello, baby!" *NM*
- 02/06/2010 05:16:57 AM
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Pronunciation in Latin
- 02/06/2010 03:15:10 AM
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I'm a classics student. Consulting dictionaries is beyond habit and approaching compulsion.
- 02/06/2010 02:08:45 AM
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A sex addiction would be much more pleasurable compulsion, y'know.
- 02/06/2010 02:32:51 AM
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The two aren't mutually exclusive, just kinky. *NM*
- 02/06/2010 04:09:50 AM
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I think you should use the OED to find out the definition of kinky.
- 02/06/2010 04:25:32 AM
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You don't think a dictionary fetish is kinky? Buddy, I don't think I'm the one needing the OED. 
*NM*
- 02/06/2010 05:20:55 AM
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*NM*
- 02/06/2010 05:20:55 AM
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Bitch, that ain't kinky. It's just....odd. *NM*
- 02/06/2010 06:28:25 AM
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Re: I'm a classics student. Consulting dictionaries is beyond habit and approaching compulsion.
- 02/06/2010 04:58:28 AM
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It may surprise you to learn that not all of my friends are classics students.
- 02/06/2010 05:21:24 AM
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- 02/06/2010 05:21:24 AM
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The other thing is that people don't know how to pronounce the difference between the two.
- 02/06/2010 03:12:10 AM
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