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Discussion Forum—A Way with Words, a fun radio show and podcast about language

A Way with Words, a radio show and podcast about language and linguistics.

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The problem of needless variants: how to choose between two correct options
Grant Barrett
San Diego, California
1532 Posts
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2009/06/01 - 2:41pm
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Unidentical twins: Ditchwater? Dishwater? When not to worry. "'Dull as ditchwater' prevailed till a few decades ago, but Americans now go for dishwater, by a huge margin. In Britain, 'dull as ditchwater' still prevails, though both expressions are used."

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2009/06/01 - 11:46pm
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"Needless" variants can sometimes be useful to determine where a speaker is from. And anyway, I'm sure that Starbucks considers all the other coffee shops in the world as needless variants, and they would just as well be the only "correct option." laugh

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