reason for so-called educated people to abandon the correct use of their language? I hear this constantly, not only in face-to-face conversation, but on television from news presenters, people in high positions, even educators. When I hear this misuse, I automatically discount the substance of what the speaker is trying to communicate. Just thinking of this makes me ill. I have to go lay down. venqax on February 10, 2011 4:58 pm I hear you, Charles, and that ain't no lay. A similar one that drives me up the wall is the almost universal misuse of the term "begs the question", which I think is dealt with elsewhere on this same site (Can't we just ASK the question?). I honestly cannot recall EVER hearing it used correctly in ordinary speech, by anyone. In the US (don't know about the anywhere else), the pop-originated term "Catch 22? is also regularly used as if it means any kind of problem. "I can't open the can, because I don't have a can opener. That's the Catch 22." Makes me want to look for another kind of 22... Charles Kratz on February 10, 2011 7:19 pm I am begging all the idiots in the world who are constantly saying, "that begs the question," when they mean it raises the question to stop it, please. Just stop it. If you don't know what "begging the question" means, for heaven's sake, look it up! I'm begging you. Michael on February 10, 2011 9:38 pm Charles Kratz: