Un-Words

I challenge my readers (the entire two of them) to find an Un-Word they hate and post a comment about it.

What is an Un-Word you ask?

An Un-Word is something that people use as if it was a word, but is not a word acknowledged by any reputable dictionary.

I will rule out the one obvious choice (irregardless, which people use as if the word regardless was somehow insufficient while expropriating its meaning).

So, my submission, from an esteemed Genetic Scientist who has worked on the reconstruction of Wooly Mamoth Hemoglobin....

Boughten (one presumes a verb).

The context of use suggests the word 'bought' was meant instead. 

An interesting take on how long it takes to get published

http://io9.com/5528774/what-do-i-wish-id-knownor-youre-kidding-right

Good point about learning to appreciate the process, also in the length of time it can take to become successful. Subtext would be the length and breadth of persistence it takes to get to that point.

Language: Using i.e. versus e.g. - why, when?

I have a fascination for language. New words I find exciting and understanding the phonetic history and etymology of words is an insatiable source of curiousity for me.

This is one of the reasons the Lord of the Rings and the entirety of the works of Middle Earth struck me. It's why articles from the early part of the last century (some pulpy sci-fi, for instance) and things from even further back draw me in, despite simplicity of plot and sometimes the characters themselves.  They draw me in because of the language - different enough from the spoken word of today, yet cloyingly familiar. I find Broad Scots, Medeival English, and Latin all give me elements of that feeling as well.

I'm also amused and fascinated by the rules of grammar; The conventions of grammar are sometimes esoteric or opaque, but being educated into their mysteries means understanding the value in breaking them and when and where it makes sense to do so, as well as why!

One of the areas I've always had a bit of a fight with myself over (other than the correct spelling of guard... my trouble word of many years....) was when it was appropriate to use i.e. (id est) and when it was appropriate to use e.g. (exempli gratia).

Well, I wonder no more, thanks to the wonders (not to overuse a word) of Google. I have found a brilliant article that makes very clear the distinction in usage between i.e. ane e.g. and I think that I shall not confuse the two again because of it.

Perhaps you already know the distinction, or think you do, but I recommend you check out the link.

id est versus exempli gratia

The world is a wonderful place!