lay versus lie- in practice, isn't that difficult.
1. Hen lays egg
1. Hens lay eggs
1. I lay something (down)


2. Dog lies (down)
2. Dogs lie (down)
2. Humans lie (often)
2. As I was lying (expository)
2. As I was lying (confessional)


3. Hens laid 10 eggs (yesterday)
3. I laid something down (and forgot where I put it)
3. My speech laid an egg (a big zero)

Any more? Like Richard B, the casual misuse bothers me, but I've about given up on it. As character flaws go, it's not a real biggie.