May I vent?

[lizziegrace]

My daughter started snickering at my rant, so I'll finish it here. When did it become acceptable to say someone "went missing". I'm no English major, but I thought that missing was a "state of being". You are missing. You were missing. You are gone. But you don't go missing.

Is it just me? And how did this become accepted so quickly? Now it's used in print and news broadcasts, not just in conversation.

Carry on...

[Floogeldy]

1. Lizzie . . . .

I'm very happy that this is all you have to rant about. And I am equally happy that your daughter was snickering. Good times. :)

[lizziegrace]

4. I've got plenty more

but after Olbermann, Rita Cosby was talking about Natalee Holloway and when she "went missing".

You're right though, it's nice to fuss about something as insignificant as this!

:hi:

[tool_of_the_people]

2. Actually it's better than......

"turned up missing". That one always bugs me.

[RevCheesehead]

3. Apparently, the verb "disappear" has vanished from their vocabulary.

:banghead:

[lizziegrace]

7. Disappear?

That's so last century.

:banghead:

[RevCheesehead]

8. Then again, it's Rita Cosby.

Shakespeare, she ain't. :evilgrin:

[lizziegrace]

9. True

but I've now heard it on NBC (I swear Brian Williams said it...)

[RevCheesehead]

10. It's the Dumbing Down of Amurka.

Look at what we have occupying the Oval Office.

Use of proper vocabulary and grammar would be considered "elitist" and part of the liberal agenda. :tinfoilhat:

[bertha katzenengel]

15. I've always thought of Twig as the first LCD* President.

* Lowest Common Denominator.

[Oeditpus Rex]

11. Maybe she's

Malliwi Rapesheake.

[Redstone]

5. I think it's another Britishism, like "spot on," that's become

annoyingly common here in the US.

Though I could be wrong just as likely as I am to be spot on with this comment.

Redstone

[lizziegrace]

6. My sister moved to the UK nearly 5 years ago

She was nearly 40 at the time but to listen to her, you'd never know she was raised in Memphis. :)

Spot on is one of her favorites. Or is it favourites?

:hi:

[mwooldri]

28. Definitely favourites. Like Honour. There's no honour without u.

Honor is a girl's name. As in Honor Blackman, the Avenger or Bond girl.

[bertha katzenengel]

12. "So, you haven't had any cars go missing?"

I think it's been around since "Fargo" -- :shrug:

[lizziegrace]

13. Never saw Fargo

I guess I just started paying attention. :shrug:

How've you been Bertha?? :hi:

[bertha katzenengel]

14. ah, comme si, comme ca

I don't know how to do the little squiggle under the "c" in "ca" -- sorry, French speakers

last day at the job tomorrow :bounce:

And you? :hi:

[lizziegrace]

18. Last day??

Congratulations!! :bounce:

We expect a full report you know.

:)


I'm hanging in there. It's been a very difficult spring around here. :(

[bertha katzenengel]

20. you have my best fishe-- I mean, best wishes

too much time around cats & their treats

seriously, best wishes to you... hope it gets better very soon :hug:

[lizziegrace]

21. Back atcha Bertha

I hope tomorrow closes a chapter for you. :toast: to better days!

[Oeditpus Rex]

25. Alt--0231

If you use a PC, that is.

But it's all just a big façade.

[bertha katzenengel]

17. and another thing: unless you can stomach graphic violence, DON'T

SEE "FARGO"

It is a good movie -- Frances McDormand is terrific, the script is terrific, Steve Buscemi is terrific, Bill Macy is fantastic -- but it is just. Too. Effing. Violent. Sad, really.

[lizziegrace]

22. Nope, can't handle violence

too upsetting. I'll take your word for how good the film is!

:)

[idgiehkt]

23. I have to say, the violence is funny.

And I am one of those types. I can't handle grossness or scaryness of any kind. I screamed aloud in the theatre during ghostbusters, of all things.

I mean, I'm so bad when it comes to gross that I have to cover my eyes when people kiss on t.v. Germs, you know, I can't stomach it. But that movie...it is just a masterpiece, there is something so slapstick about that violence that redeems it.

And it sets up one of the best scenes of all time for me, all movies included...when the sociopathic killer that hasn't shown any emotion whatever gets a shocked look on his face while watching that soap opera when they reveal the identity of the baby-daddy...that scene is just stunning. What a Great, great movie.

[lizziegrace]

24. Where are my manners?

Welcome to DU!! :hi:

I'll try and watch it with some friends. That usually tempers the violence...

[idgiehkt]

16. I asked this once and someone said it was a British thing

I don't remember who, and I hate it as well. I've heard 'go missing', but when it's turned around like that people usually say 'disappeared' or 'vanished'.

Any Brits around here to straighten this out?

[lizziegrace]

19. We'll have to wait until

BillySkank and others are awake. Should be in a few hours!

Meanwhile, I've got to get some sleep. I brought my daughter home from the dorm since she had a terrible stomach virus. I've got to take her back on my way to work in the morning.

Night y'all!

:hi:

[mwooldri]

29. As a Brit, even I had to google it. However...

... yes "go missing" is considered a "Britishism", if there is ever such a word. And in any case, what's the problem with that? American English has invaded everywhere else.... so it's now your turn.

Mark.


Sources:
http://cerezo.pntic.mec.es/~ffras/american_british.htm
http://langohio.blogspot.com/2005/08/fowlers-revenge.html

[Monk06]

30. Quebec version. "I look all o-ver de place fer it and der it was...

....gone."

[Malikshah]

26. It's enough to make a Venetian blind!

The whole vent thing...;)

[mwooldri]

27. Ha! I might have to send you out for some Peking Duck. (n/t)

[KitchenWitch]

31. A couple of language things that drive me batty are:

"Meantime" as a segue instead of "In the meantime". I go nuts when I hear the talking heads do this.

And saying "pitchers" when talking about pictures. :mad:

[mwooldri]

32. In which case, don't come down here!

We have a guy down here, you might have heard of him, he's called Jeff Foxworthy.

He takes the piss out of language such as this.

[lizziegrace]

33. I have family in your town

Wave when you go down Battleground.

:hi: