English is a wonderful and constantly evolving language and I have no issue with grammatical, definition, etymological and other language-based pedantry; it shows people care abut their language. The French will argue for hours over the smallest details of their language, and I love that they do.

As for the last thread being chucked into the chod-bin:

"Not my bit. Up yer arse! Toffee-nosed dimwit. I shouldn't mock. Tory/Kipper tosspots have no idea what England is or ever was."

It was a joke, seemed to be taken by Iain's as such and I enjoyed his reply thoroughly; you'd haver to be a little dense and/or making trouble to think otherwise. It was a bit of banter in a thread that was dominated (again) by the squabblers. You forgot my reply, "Arse pearls!". I stand by this last statement especially, and if it irritates those with a superiority complex over language , then all the better.


Top books on language as recommended by Stu:

Anything by Robert McFarlane, but Landmarks in particular

Under Mil Wood by Dylan Thomas. Almost a drug it's so intoxicating.

Roger's Profanisaurus to both prove the vitality of the English language, the inventiveness of the people of England and to piss off the smunts. Shakespeare would have LOVED this.

The Collected works of Ted Hughes. Language articulating and communicating a deep understanding of England and her ancient, wild soul. This is as close to magic as exists. Heck, it might be magic.