Monday, October 28, 2019

Prepositional Posturing

I discovered a new word today, that appeared as a clue in The New Your Times Crossword Puzzle. The word is "whereat". I will swear, on a stack of dictionaries, that I have never written, spoken, or seen the word "whereat" in print, and because it is unfamiliar, I looked for a dictionary definition.
The word "whereat" means "at or toward which", or "in consequence of which".
I am familiar with the words "where" and "at". Often, I hear the question, "Where you at?", and it makes me cringe in grammar horror. Or, sometimes I hear another abhorrent favorite, "Where did you go to school at?"
So, the next time a well-meaning, but language challenged person asks me "Where you at?" , whereat I will consider making the reply, "I am right here, with my imaginary red pencil, correcting your terrible grammar."


Dear Lord. I am working at Self-Control. Really I am. But, I find it so hard to hold my tongue. Remind me who I am and whose I am.

No comments:

"You've always had the power my dear......."

This will be my last post of 2025. I have already BESTED my production quota for the year, and if I do too many more posts, the goal will be...