Comments on: The eggcorn doesn’t fall far from the tree http://cvillewords.com/2007/06/24/the-eggcorn-doesnt-fall-far-from-the-tree/ Reading and writing in the heart of Virginia Thu, 25 Feb 2010 14:23:06 +0000 http://wordpress.com/ hourly 1 By: prospectus http://cvillewords.com/2007/06/24/the-eggcorn-doesnt-fall-far-from-the-tree/#comment-4183 prospectus Thu, 28 Jun 2007 15:35:39 +0000 http://cvillewords.wordpress.com/2007/06/24/the-eggcorn-doesnt-fall-far-from-the-tree/#comment-4183 I like it that these things usually make sense, but not the sense intended. "Extensive purpose" - presumably that would be a wide-ranging, all-encompassing intention. A missionary who wants to convert the entire word to his religion would have quite an "extensive purpose". As for "for all extensive purposes, a grill is the same as a toaster-oven" (to make up a random example), what would it really mean? Presumably that if someone has some kind of grand plan, then the two things are the same for them only. I like it that these things usually make sense, but not the sense intended. “Extensive purpose” – presumably that would be a wide-ranging, all-encompassing intention. A missionary who wants to convert the entire word to his religion would have quite an “extensive purpose”.

As for “for all extensive purposes, a grill is the same as a toaster-oven” (to make up a random example), what would it really mean? Presumably that if someone has some kind of grand plan, then the two things are the same for them only.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://cvillewords.com/2007/06/24/the-eggcorn-doesnt-fall-far-from-the-tree/#comment-4089 Elizabeth Mon, 25 Jun 2007 02:30:09 +0000 http://cvillewords.wordpress.com/2007/06/24/the-eggcorn-doesnt-fall-far-from-the-tree/#comment-4089 Free factoid for you: According to WikiAnswer, the original phrase was "to all intents and purposes," which dates back to the 16th century. http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_the_saying_'all_intents_and_purposes'_or_'all_intense_purposes' As for where I first saw "all extensive purposes" -- my lips are sealed! Free factoid for you: According to WikiAnswer, the original phrase was “to all intents and purposes,” which dates back to the 16th century.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/Is_the_saying_‘all_intents_and_purposes’_or_’all_intense_purposes’

As for where I first saw “all extensive purposes” — my lips are sealed!

]]> By: waldoj http://cvillewords.com/2007/06/24/the-eggcorn-doesnt-fall-far-from-the-tree/#comment-4086 waldoj Sun, 24 Jun 2007 21:19:28 +0000 http://cvillewords.wordpress.com/2007/06/24/the-eggcorn-doesnt-fall-far-from-the-tree/#comment-4086 I pointed that eggcorn out to my wife this afternoon, when I saw her brother use that phrase on his blog (surely the same place you saw it), and encouraged her to have a word with him over supper this evening. :) I pointed that eggcorn out to my wife this afternoon, when I saw her brother use that phrase on his blog (surely the same place you saw it), and encouraged her to have a word with him over supper this evening. :)

]]> By: Silvia http://cvillewords.com/2007/06/24/the-eggcorn-doesnt-fall-far-from-the-tree/#comment-4083 Silvia Sun, 24 Jun 2007 20:33:45 +0000 http://cvillewords.wordpress.com/2007/06/24/the-eggcorn-doesnt-fall-far-from-the-tree/#comment-4083 And what makes an utterance a "word?" One definition says a word is "a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning." Another, "a unit of language that native speakers can identify." The strict language police would say lot's of utterances aren't words, but if the meaning is understood, it is. "If it's not in the dictionary, it's not a word!" How many times did I hear that growing up? :) Pah! Not directly on topic, but I thought I'd bring it up. And what makes an utterance a “word?” One definition says a word is “a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning.” Another, “a unit of language that native speakers can identify.” The strict language police would say lot’s of utterances aren’t words, but if the meaning is understood, it is. “If it’s not in the dictionary, it’s not a word!” How many times did I hear that growing up? :) Pah! Not directly on topic, but I thought I’d bring it up.

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