Does grammar matter to you?

Thanks, Zwang! I don't consider Sherri Shepherd unintelligent just on her misuse of the English language; I agree, a person may have other skills that make them intelligent. Math, science and computer skills amaze me, and I'm not the greatest with those. I have a little knowledge here and there, but we all have things we're better at than others. It's other things Ms. Shepherd has said that cause me to feel the way I do.

I enjoy the art of making up words, as long as it's done deliberately and obviously, and it isn't just because the speaker is ignorant. To me there is a difference between saying "agreeance" because you don't know the proper word is "agreement," and the late Paul Harvey, for example, making up words like "infanticipating" and "guesstimate."

Fair enough, Maven.

(Too late to edit my previous post, but I wanted to point out there is a difference between "ignorant" and "unintelligent.") As Loretta Lynn said in the movie Coal Miner's Daughter, "Don't call me stupid. I may be ignorant, but I ain't stupid."

So true, but not crazy about 'gynormous' or even the over use of 'super' lol

That said, while I don't usually make up words, I do like to stretch the meaning of words in common and not so common use. A lot of words meant different things years ago...and it's fun to push the previous limitations by reminding people how rich and complex some words are.

It's like painting with vocabulary.

Indeed. I also think there's a distinct difference between one being stupid, and someone who is stupid; same applies to the other adjectives, IMO. I think it's how in some cultures/groups we can get away with joking by saying "Do be so stupid." it doesn't mean "You are stupid." it more means "You are being stupid.", the former being more concrete and personally, I find it very offensive, but you know, ... sure we all have moments when we are being stupid.

I think the problem with "ignorant" is that the word is so often used derogatorily, so it's kind of a gamble as to whether you would offend someone by using it innocently. I said it to my dad, once, something along the lines of "ignorance is bliss" about something that totally wasn't intended to be offensive or malicious in any way, but he was really offended by it.

Another word that gets given a negative light is "pity", ... to say "I pity you", doesn't actually have to be that sarcastic, patronising meaning that we are so used to hearing, but alas, we're all so used to it being that way; it is actually a very nice, heartfelt thing to say - and I quote: "the feeling of sorrow and compassion caused by the sufferings and misfortunes of others." Interesting, really, I think.

Yes, sometimes people do use "ignorant" as an insult when they mean "stupid." Ignorant of them, isn't it?

In my understanding, to be ignorant is simply being unaware or uninformed about something. Will Rogers said, "We're all ignorant, only on different subjects." Nobody knows all there is to know about everything, and therefore I agree with him. We are all ignorant. No matter how well educated and how well informed we are, there is always something we don't know.

I'd like to define "stupid" as not capable of learning what you don't know, but that isn't fair to people with cognitive disorders. My aunt, for example, had special needs and functioned intellectually on about a third or fourth grade level, but she was definitely not stupid!

Maybe ignorant is "I don't know, and until now I have never had an opportunity to learn, but I'm listening," while stupid is "I don't know, but I'm convinced I do know, and you can't tell me anything." I have no idea how to describe someone who is incapable of learning, because actually, I'm not sure I've ever met anybody that applies to. Some people just have a more difficult time than others.

I can see why "pity" is a trigger for some people, because to pity others, you almost have to be in a position that is somehow better off than they are. It doesn't make much sense to say you pity someone when you're in the same situation they're in, or worse.

Also, it seems to me that if someone pities me, they can't at the same time admire me. You don't see someone climb an obstacle, and then say, "You poor thing; that obstacle was in your way." Instead you say, "Wow, I'm impressed. You climbed it." I'm quoting people left and right today.... I wonder who it was that said, "You can be pitiful or powerful, but not both." (looks it up) Ah. Joyce Meyer. But then there's sympathy, which might be a better word. Again in my understanding, pity says, "Nothing like that has ever been a problem for me, which makes me superior to you," while sympathy says, "Yeah, I understand. I've been there too, and could be again."

Yes, it really matters to me. I try to do as few mistakes possible.

An interesting book that is on this topic. About how language changes over time and how people nitpick on things, many of which were used differently in the past.
Grammar Police: Here?s What to Say to the Next Jerk Who Corrects You - TIME

I agree with the author about how it us unseemly to correct others when you can understand what they are trying to say.

Only when learning a new language, other than that not a whit. I know 3. French mandarin and Russian.

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I think it is the connotation of the word ignorant, partly because of the tone used when saying the word. "Why are you so IGnorant?" And yes, I agree with you that the word is misused. I also agree with what you say about pity. One of things that I say is that you can't pity and respect someone at the same time.

I can do both, personally. I respect my brother, but I feel remorse and compassion (AKA: pity) for him having depression.

I do not correct on-line errors. I do get disgusted and stop reading that person's posts.