More 'sayings' that drive me crazy

[GEM]

Ah, but if the definition changes, then people aren't using incorrectly. You may not like hearing it used that way, but it's not wrong. As you said, many words change meaning over the years. Your original post said "litany is not a list", and that's not correct - at least not any more.

By the way, the actual paper and ink Webster's Dictionary that my uncle gave me as a high school graduation gift (I really just wanted money) over 15 years ago (says it was printed in 1985) includes "a long and tedious recitation" as one of the definitions for litany. So, if it has changed meanings, it wasn't really all that recently.

Anyway, not trying to pick a fight or anything. Stuff like that just interests me.

Edited to add: DH just came in and saw me looking through the very dusty dictionary reciting the alphabet to myself and said, "You know, you don't have to do it that way anymore."

Now, here's one I can't stand - acrossed. As in, "I live acrossed the street."

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

But, "a long and tedious recitation" fits the definition of a Lutheran Worship Service!!! Proving my point!! SaWish! Just kidding!!!! Now, I'm not bored any longer, I'm just loopy.

I guess it depends on your def. of "recent", but that's kind of splitting hairs now. My one dict. is 13 years old, my other is 27 and neither one mentioned list. I guess I just wish people would say, "I have a whole list of things I want to bring up," rather than litany because of what the word "used" to mean. Why did it start to mean list??? I'm a little sensitive b/c of my faith. It isn't a list-it's a prayer/worship.

And, you're right that if the meaning of a word changes, then people aren't using it incorrectly, but why and how did the meaning change in the first place. The first person who changed it used it incorrectly. Ooooh, I"m so deep. Never knew I was...

I'm just being silly now. I didn't think you're trying to pick a fight. I"m a very passive person. I'm not trying to pick one either. I just love to debate a point til it's dead (according to my DH). The problem with forums is there's no way to inject your vocal inflections into what you type. So sentences can take on a whole new (and sometimes hostile, but mine should never be considered that!!) meaning. I never thought you were trying to do battle with me. However, some sentences are made more clear through the use of smileys. That's a whole other litany of things I have to bring up..... Couldn't resist, sorry...

 

[golfgal]

Funny you mention litany, I'm listening to a Gregorian chant of "Litany of the Saints" as I post this.

I THINK "my bad" is used when you are wrong, or did something wrong.

"I didn't check my spelling before I posted. My bad."

Ok, to jump on the "litany" bandwagon, the "Litany of Saints" is a "listing of Saints". They are listing the saints as they pray/sing to them. It is a BEAUTIFUL song, buy the way. The college I attended did the most beautiful All Saints Day service and when you have a thousand or so people singing the "Litany of Saints", just wonderful. I miss that.

Also, about the "no problem" thing. In Minnesota that is a perfectly acceptable response to "Thank You" it's even written in the book "How to Talk Minnesotan".

 

[golfgal]

This is a slightly different version of what our church uses, I like ours better, but I couldn't find it online--see, its a LIST:


Litany of the Saints
From the 1991 Enchiridion of Indulgences

Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Christ, have mercy
Lord, have mercy
Lord, have mercy

Response: pray for us:

Holy Mary, Mother of God,
Saint Michael,
Holy angels of God,
Saint John the Baptist,
Saint Joseph,
Saint Peter and Saint Paul,
Saint Andrew,
Saint John,
Saint Mary Magdalene,
Saint Stephen,
Saint Ignatius of Antioch,
Saint Lawrence,
Saint Perpetua and Saint Felicity,
Saint Agnes,
Saint Gregory,
Saint Augustine,
Saint Athanasius,
Saint Basil,
Saint Martin,
Saint Benedict,
Saint Francis and Saint Dominic,
Saint Francis Xavier,
Saint John Vianney,
Saint Catherine,
Saint Teresa of Jesus,
(other names of saints may be added.)
All holy men and women,

Response: Lord, save your people

Lord, be merciful,
From all evil,
From every sin ,
From everlasting death,
By your coming as man,
By your death and rising to new life,
By your gift of the Holy Spirit,

Response: Lord, hear our prayer

Be merciful to us sinners,
Guide and protect your holy Church,
Keep the pope and all the clergy in faithful service to your Church,
Bring all peoples together in trust and peace,
Strengthen us in your service,
Jesus, Son of the living God,

Christ, hear us
Christ, hear us
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer
Lord Jesus, hear our prayer

Let us pray:
God of our ancestors who set their hearts on you, of those who fell asleep in peace, and of those who won the martyrs’ violent crown: we are surrounded by these witnesses as by clouds of fragrant incense. In this age we would be counted in this communion of all the saints; keep us always in their good and blessed company . In their midst we make every prayer through Christ who is our Lord for ever and ever.
Amen.

 

[Linnie The Pooh]

Hmmm... That looks like a hymn or prayer to me, rather than a list. The saints are listed in it, yes, but to me this looks more like a portion of a worship service for a church. Maybe this is how that word started changing to mean list-because they are listed in this piece you've written.

Now I have to leave these boards so I can start on my litany of things I need to accomplish today....

 

[golfgal]

Hmmm... That looks like a hymn or prayer to me, rather than a list. The saints are listed in it, yes, but to me this looks more like a portion of a worship service for a church. Maybe this is how that word started changing to mean list-because they are listed in this piece you've written.

Now I have to leave these boards so I can start on my litany of things I need to accomplish today....

This is how it is sung though, they list the Saints and after each saint is named you sing "Pray for Us" that is why it is a litany (a listing). It is still a hymn or prayer but it is a "litany" because it is a prayer of a LISTING of the saints. This is usually only done on All Saints day and during the Easter Vigil and maybe at some other feast day or special celebrations.


From the online Oxford English Dictionary which traces the evolution of the meaning of English words

litany
/littni/

• noun (pl. litanies) 1 a series of petitions used in church services, usually recited by the clergy and responded to by the people. 2 a tedious recital. — ORIGIN Greek litaneia ‘prayer’, from lite ‘supplication’.

 

[WIcruizer]

I can't believe this is being debated. Of course litany is synonymous with list. It's been explained in great detail above, and it's not that hard people.

 

[disneymom3]

So, back to the fun stuff.....I thought of another one today. Actually two. They are both spoken by my 5 you who has had a major attitude problem lately. They are "WHAT?" as though he is shocked and appalled that you would even consider asking him to do such a thing. And the next one is "HUH?" I can't even think of a context for that one, but both of them make me want to smack him some days.

 

[Bob NC]

Grates on my nerves when people say..."I could care less"

What the heck does that mean?

 

[Diane]

It really annoys me when people say “I seen”: “I seen a good movie.” “I seen a man….”

It sounds odd to me when people say, “She went missing.” Whether it’s correct or not, it bothers me. It makes it seem like a deliberate act, as if “she” did something on purpose. Why can’t they just say, “She is missing?”