Last week I was in the audience at a conference and the speaker extolled the number and variety of options as a "panopoly of tools." Clearly he meant panoply. I just had to share my amusement.
Hadn't heard that one yet. I second your amusement.
Caught another one on CNN last night, this from a "spokesperson" for the Republican party. And I quote ...
"There are a myriad of things he could do to improve his standing in the polls."
Is it just me, or is the language evolving to allow the use of "myriad" as a noun? This writer makes a strong case for it's (proper) use as a noun:
http://talkwordy.com/2009/02/27/a-myriad-of-misconceptions-well-just-one-really/
My mind still first thinks 10,000 when I hear myriad, then I allow the possibility of a figurative use. I know, I have it backward. As a result, it does not seem strange to me that it could be used like dozen as a noun. By the way, I also first think of dozen as 12, then only later consider the figurative use.
"Panopoly" - funny. I love hearing malapropisms in the media. For a split second, I feel smarter than the expert on TV.
I've seen dictionaries (e.g. m-w.com) define myriad as both a noun and an adjective. My first exposures to myriad were as an adjective, so the noun use always sounds wrong to me. I try not to make an issue out of it.
On the other hand, just because it's in the dictionary doesn't mean that it's good communication. Irregardless is in the dictionary, too.
Glenn said:
My mind still first thinks 10,000 when I hear myriad
And in my head, I hear a talent agent saying, "Myriad Maniacs is too intellectual. If you want your band to be popular, you need a simpler name."
YA amusing malaprop: On the radio last night, I heard a fan talk about anticipating the end of the Detroit Lions' winning streak as "waiting for the other foot to drop."