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Offline Nick

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Pedants required
« on: November 05, 2007, 10:06:53 AM »
I wrote an article for someone yesterday which included the words "Under Weigh" in teh title.

He has told me it's wrong. I have said that it isn't necessarily wrong, just accurate!

See here:

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-und2.htm

What do pedants here think?
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Offline Marley's Ghost (Imbiber of Spirits)

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #1 on: November 05, 2007, 10:10:26 AM »
Really rather depends on what was meant.

If you were referring to a ship (for example) starting to move, it would be 'Under Way', whereas, if you had been served 15 oz of spuds when you asked for a pound, then there would have been an 'Under Weigh' during the dispensation of said spuds.

Of course, you could have meant something completely different!
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Offline TG

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #2 on: November 05, 2007, 10:12:06 AM »
Quote from: Nick on November 05, 2007, 10:06:53 AM
I wrote an article for someone yesterday which included the words "Under Weigh" in teh title.

He has told me it's wrong. I have said that it isn't necessarily wrong, just accurate!

See here:

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-und2.htm

What do pedants here think?

I am not a oedant so I couldnt possibly comment.
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Offline Nick

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #3 on: November 05, 2007, 10:14:06 AM »
Quote from: Marley's Ghost on November 05, 2007, 10:10:26 AM
Really rather depends on what was meant.

If you were referring to a ship (for example) starting to move, it would be 'Under Way', whereas, if you had been served 15 oz of spuds when you asked for a pound, then there would have been an 'Under Weigh' during the dispensation of said spuds.

Of course, you could have meant something completely different!

 noooo:
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Offline Darwins Selection

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #4 on: November 05, 2007, 10:20:22 AM »
Quote from: Nick on November 05, 2007, 10:06:53 AM
I wrote an article for someone yesterday which included the words "Under Weigh" in teh title.

He has told me it's wrong. I have said that it isn't necessarily wrong, just accurate!

See here:

http://www.worldwidewords.org/qa/qa-und2.htm

What do pedants here think?

If it is in the context of 'getting started' then 'under way' is the regular useage and 'under weigh' is rather quaint.

However, if the item had anything to do with insufficient weighing of people or objects, then 'under weigh' is the only choice.
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Offline Nick

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #5 on: November 05, 2007, 10:21:35 AM »
No it didn't. I wasted too much of my youth reading Victorian literature it seems evil:
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Offline Darwins Selection

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #6 on: November 05, 2007, 10:24:18 AM »
Quote from: Nick on November 05, 2007, 10:21:35 AM
No it didn't. I wasted too much of my youth reading Victorian literature it seems evil:

When Wench surfaces, try shouting "A vast behind Mrs Hornblower". whistle:
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Offline Bar Wench

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #7 on: November 05, 2007, 10:24:29 AM »
 cussing:
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Offline Nick

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #8 on: November 05, 2007, 10:25:24 AM »
I did and it worked!! lol:
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Offline Snoopy

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #9 on: November 05, 2007, 10:31:33 AM »
Check Fowler's "Modern English Usage" for Under Way and all is explained.

You are in good company though as Thackery, to name but one, made the same error. whistle:
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Offline Nick

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #10 on: November 05, 2007, 10:32:37 AM »
 evil:
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Offline Uncle Mort

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #11 on: November 05, 2007, 10:36:35 AM »
Quote
The original expression for getting a boat moving has nothing to do with weighing anchor and is “getting under way,” but so many sophisticated writers get this wrong that you’re not likely to get into trouble if you imitate them.



 whistle:

   
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Offline Snoopy

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #12 on: November 05, 2007, 10:37:26 AM »
Quote from: Nick on November 05, 2007, 10:32:37 AM
evil:

I take it you checked.



You do have good precedent for using it as two words and Fowler says it should NEVER be used as one word (even if it is fundamentally wrong to spell it Weigh unless referring to weight)


Precisely Uncle Mort
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Offline Darwins Selection

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #13 on: November 05, 2007, 10:42:43 AM »
Quote from: Snoopy on November 05, 2007, 10:31:33 AM
You are in good company though as Thackery, to name but one, made the same error.
I liked 'Sister Josephine' when he did it on 'Bradens Week'  ;D
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Offline Nick

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Re: Pedants required
« Reply #14 on: November 05, 2007, 10:43:46 AM »
Thackray and Thackeray, but not in that order.
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