Comments on: Finger in the what?! http://www.regrettheerror.com/2007/12/18/finger-in-the-what/ Mistakes Happen Mon, 19 Dec 2011 16:43:49 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: oxford english dictionary http://www.regrettheerror.com/2007/12/18/finger-in-the-what/comment-page-1/#comment-3207 oxford english dictionary Fri, 18 Jan 2008 18:16:10 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/newspapers/finger-in-the-what#comment-3207 <strong>oxford english dictionary...</strong> I'm not sure about that one, it seems a little fishy, but I suppose anything is possible...... oxford english dictionary…

I’m not sure about that one, it seems a little fishy, but I suppose anything is possible……

]]> By: Tom http://www.regrettheerror.com/2007/12/18/finger-in-the-what/comment-page-1/#comment-704 Tom Fri, 21 Dec 2007 01:13:48 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/newspapers/finger-in-the-what#comment-704 Well, just as a data point, the Guardian's style guide specifies <a href="http://www.guardian.co.uk/styleguide/page/0,,184835,00.html" rel="nofollow">"dyke, not dike"</a>. British rather than American, I know - but worth pointing out that for some, at least, "dyke" is not merely a deprecated variant, but is actively preferred. Well, just as a data point, the Guardian’s style guide specifies “dyke, not dike”. British rather than American, I know – but worth pointing out that for some, at least, “dyke” is not merely a deprecated variant, but is actively preferred.

]]> By: Craig Silverman http://www.regrettheerror.com/2007/12/18/finger-in-the-what/comment-page-1/#comment-693 Craig Silverman Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:34:30 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/newspapers/finger-in-the-what#comment-693 I understand the objections expressed here, as "dyke" is on its face a legitimate spelling. However, the pejorative use of the word has taken over to the point that newspapers and the vast majority of other types of media use "dike." So while "dyke" is valid in a literal sense, it was in fact a typo. For example, if you search for "dyke" in the NY Times, you get lots of Van Dyke's, but you need to search for "dike" in order to find references to the little Dutch boy etc. That said, I appreciate the comments. I understand the objections expressed here, as “dyke” is on its face a legitimate spelling. However, the pejorative use of the word has taken over to the point that newspapers and the vast majority of other types of media use “dike.” So while “dyke” is valid in a literal sense, it was in fact a typo. For example, if you search for “dyke” in the NY Times, you get lots of Van Dyke’s, but you need to search for “dike” in order to find references to the little Dutch boy etc. That said, I appreciate the comments.

]]> By: Mandrake http://www.regrettheerror.com/2007/12/18/finger-in-the-what/comment-page-1/#comment-691 Mandrake Thu, 20 Dec 2007 12:41:20 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/newspapers/finger-in-the-what#comment-691 Surely you can't be this ignorant? You have never heard the story of the little dutch boy who saved his town by putting his finger in the leaking dyke until help arrived? This is nothing more than a Beavis and Butthead snigger. Surely you can’t be this ignorant? You have never heard the story of the little dutch boy who saved his town by putting his finger in the leaking dyke until help arrived? This is nothing more than a Beavis and Butthead snigger.

]]> By: James http://www.regrettheerror.com/2007/12/18/finger-in-the-what/comment-page-1/#comment-687 James Wed, 19 Dec 2007 20:28:42 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/newspapers/finger-in-the-what#comment-687 Agreed w/ Patrick--this sounds more like a little kid giggling at a double entendre than a typo. Agreed w/ Patrick–this sounds more like a little kid giggling at a double entendre than a typo.

]]> By: Patrick http://www.regrettheerror.com/2007/12/18/finger-in-the-what/comment-page-1/#comment-664 Patrick Wed, 19 Dec 2007 04:20:21 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/newspapers/finger-in-the-what#comment-664 From the Oxford English Dictionary: "dike, dyke, n. 7. a. A ridge, embankment, long mound, or dam, thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea, or to prevent low-lying lands from being flooded by seas, rivers, or streams." I think, then, that dyke is a perfectly legitimate spelling for what Ms. Owen was referring to. For the other, colloquial definition of the word, the OED lists "dike" as well as "dyke" as possible spellings. For that reason I would say no error was committed. From the Oxford English Dictionary:

“dike, dyke, n.

7. a. A ridge, embankment, long mound, or dam, thrown up to resist the encroachments of the sea, or to prevent low-lying lands from being flooded by seas, rivers, or streams.”

I think, then, that dyke is a perfectly legitimate spelling for what Ms. Owen was referring to. For the other, colloquial definition of the word, the OED lists “dike” as well as “dyke” as possible spellings. For that reason I would say no error was committed.

]]> By: Baylink http://www.regrettheerror.com/2007/12/18/finger-in-the-what/comment-page-1/#comment-658 Baylink Tue, 18 Dec 2007 20:16:36 +0000 http://www.regrettheerror.com/newspapers/finger-in-the-what#comment-658 I was amused when I saw a local billboard for Knology Cable, which said "We have operators standing by, 24/7. Don't worry; they're wearing comfortable shoes." You *know* someone in a creative department somewhere is rubbing their hands together in glee... I was amused when I saw a local billboard for Knology Cable, which said

“We have operators standing by, 24/7.

Don’t worry; they’re wearing comfortable shoes.”

You *know* someone in a creative department somewhere is rubbing their hands together in glee…

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