Road Runner Posted December 13, 2018 Share #1 Posted December 13, 2018 Why can't we redo the spelling of the American language to eliminate superfluous letters? How many hours are wasted each day in the US typing in unnecessary letters ?? Probably gazillions. Why is there a "w" in sword? Why is there an "h" in john? 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post Longjohn ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Popular Post Share #2 Posted December 13, 2018 If we adopted the metric alphabet there would only be ten letters. That would be a good start. 3 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dinneR ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #3 Posted December 13, 2018 sord just looks weird. I believe there must be a powerful member of congress who gets kickbacks for the use of useless letters. Every h in John nets this person a penny. We're stuck with these useless letters just like we are stuck with pennies in our monetary system. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeman564™ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #4 Posted December 13, 2018 Just now, dennis said: just like we are stuck with pennies in our monetary system. these should be gone IMO 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zephyr Posted December 13, 2018 Share #5 Posted December 13, 2018 6 minutes ago, Road Runner said: Why can't we redo the spelling of the American language to eliminate superfluous letters? How many hours are wasted each day in the US typing in unnecessary letters ?? Probably gazillions. Why is there a "w" in sword? Why is there an "h" in john? This is a very RG-ish type post. (insert Wisers clap here) 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #6 Posted December 13, 2018 Just be happy you're not Japanese. They have 3 complete alphabets one of which may have more than 10,000 characters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #7 Posted December 13, 2018 And what is the purpose of Ph? F is easier to type and easier to read for people learning English. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #8 Posted December 13, 2018 1 minute ago, Longjohn said: And what is the purpose of Ph? F is easier to type and easier to read for people learning English. Yea, F that one. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #9 Posted December 13, 2018 I make it a point to try and pronounce each letter in a word. WED NES DAY as an example. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeman564™ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #10 Posted December 13, 2018 1 minute ago, Longjohn said: And what is the purpose of Ph? to spell phonix 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeman564™ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #11 Posted December 13, 2018 Just now, jsharr said: I make it a point to try and pronounce each letter in a word. WED NES DAY as an example. and Feb U ary 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted December 13, 2018 Author Share #12 Posted December 13, 2018 5 minutes ago, Longjohn said: And what is the purpose of Ph? It's a measure of acidity and/or alkalinity in an aqueous solution. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #13 Posted December 13, 2018 10 minutes ago, Longjohn said: And what is the purpose of Ph? F is easier to type and easier to read for people learning English. 1 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maddmaxx ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #14 Posted December 13, 2018 Ph allows one to camouflage Phuck so that one doesn't look like a cretin. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prophet Zacharia Posted December 13, 2018 Share #15 Posted December 13, 2018 37 minutes ago, dennis said: sord just looks eird. FIFY. F(W)I(W), I believe it was this issue, the disrespect to the letter “h” in particular, that made @Razors Edge Thom leave the forum. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Randomguy Posted December 13, 2018 Share #16 Posted December 13, 2018 43 minutes ago, bikeman564™ said: these should be gone IMO I always tell cashiers to round up or round down, I don't care which, I just don't want to carry pennies. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bikeman564™ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #17 Posted December 13, 2018 3 minutes ago, Randomguy said: I always tell cashiers to round up or round down, I don't care which, I just don't want to carry pennies. At work, if a colleague goes to get lunch, he rounds up what I owe the nearest nickel. If I go, I round his down to the nearest nickel My local party store rounds down which is great e.g. if the total is $10.04, they say $10. I like this. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #18 Posted December 13, 2018 2 minutes ago, Randomguy said: I always tell cashiers to round up or round down, I don't care which, I just don't want to carry pennies. If they have a penny cup I put them in the cup, if they don't I leave them on the counter. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted December 13, 2018 Author Share #19 Posted December 13, 2018 Why is there a "u" in "restaurant"? I am never sure which side of the "r" it goes on. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ChrisL Posted December 13, 2018 Share #20 Posted December 13, 2018 7 minutes ago, Longjohn said: If they have a penny cup I put them in the cup, if they don't I leave them on the counter. This... I'd be happy if pennies go away. I have a big jar of change, mostly pennies I need to get rid of. But the truth of the matter is I haven't put a coin in there in ages as nearly all of my purchases are with the ATM card. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital_photog ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #21 Posted December 13, 2018 19 minutes ago, Road Runner said: Why is there a "u" in "restaurant"? I am never sure which side of the "r" it goes on. Becaus u would lose your rant if u put it in the rong plac 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12string Posted December 13, 2018 Share #22 Posted December 13, 2018 Sword and February are bad examples. You are actually supposed to pronounce the w and r. They are not superphlouos. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #23 Posted December 13, 2018 1 hour ago, 12string said: Sword and February are bad examples. You are actually supposed to pronounce the w and r. They are not superphlouos. You can’t make me and I’m not going to. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Digital_photog ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #24 Posted December 13, 2018 1 hour ago, Longjohn said: You can’t make me and I’m not going to. You stubborn old geezer. I bet you even yell at kids to stay off your lawn. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted December 13, 2018 Author Share #25 Posted December 13, 2018 5 hours ago, Road Runner said: Why can't we redo the spelling of the American language to eliminate superfluous letters? How many hours are wasted each day in the US typing in unnecessary letters ?? Probably gazillions. Why is there a "w" in sword? Why is there an "h" in john? Why is there a "n" in "solemn" and "hymn"? Why is there an "h" after the "r" in rhythm? And why isn't there a vowel between before the "m"? Why is there an "e" in "cocaine"? Why is there a "w" in "low", "slow" and "blow"?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted December 13, 2018 Share #26 Posted December 13, 2018 I propose we eliminate the letters j, h s and r. That would be a very good start. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted December 13, 2018 Author Share #27 Posted December 13, 2018 2 minutes ago, Kzoo said: I propose we eliminate the letters j, h s and r. That would be a very good start. Why not just spell it, "jshar"? What's with the extra "r"? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Road Runner Posted December 13, 2018 Author Share #28 Posted December 13, 2018 "Zoo" is just wasting "o's". "Zu" would make more sense and reduce "o" pollution. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
12string Posted December 13, 2018 Share #29 Posted December 13, 2018 That would be "zuh" , not "zoo". Come on, people - Fonics! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ralphie ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #30 Posted December 13, 2018 Just now, Longjohn said: And what is the purpose of Ph? F is easier to type and easier to read for people learning English. I 'spose you can blame that on Philadelphia. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Further Posted December 13, 2018 Share #31 Posted December 13, 2018 6 hours ago, ChrisL said: This... I'd be happy if pennies go away. I have a big jar of change, mostly pennies I need to get rid of. But the truth of the matter is I haven't put a coin in there in ages as nearly all of my purchases are with the ATM card. I've got a couple hundred pounds of pennies I should cash in or donate somewhere. Maybe I'll dump them in a bellringers bucket, start pouring and tell the guy 'say when' 1 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted December 13, 2018 Share #32 Posted December 13, 2018 1 hour ago, RalphWaldoMooseworth said: I 'spose you can blame that on Filthydelfya. FIFY Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shootingstar Posted December 14, 2018 Share #33 Posted December 14, 2018 3 hours ago, Road Runner said: Why is there a "n" in "solemn" and "hymn"? Why is there an "h" after the "r" in rhythm? And why isn't there a vowel between before the "m"? Why is there an "e" in "cocaine"? Why is there a "w" in "low", "slow" and "blow"?? You're causing a riot to change the English language...in writing vs. speaking it. They are 2 different things, related but different. Just imagine speaking Chinese and writing it...which the word sound absolutely have NO relationship to the ideogram. That's why it's so hard as an adult to learn, speak and write Chinese fluently with a strong, broad vocabulary. Imagine building written vocabulary based on putting 2 word ideograms that make up 1 final word meaning...based on ancient historical development of pictorial symbols! We are lucky some of the European languages have letter combinations that represent sound or phonetics. -----From someone who was drilled in English language as 2nd language when she was 5 yrs. old and up. I was drilled in English language phoenetics and enuciation as well as spelling from a very young age in a manner some of you may take for granted. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rattlecan ★ Posted December 14, 2018 Share #34 Posted December 14, 2018 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted December 14, 2018 Share #35 Posted December 14, 2018 I think we could combine the letters LMNO into one letter, heck I used to think it was one letter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jsharr ★ Posted December 14, 2018 Share #36 Posted December 14, 2018 Okay, you convinced me. I hereby can e,l,s and u. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickinMD ★ Posted December 14, 2018 Share #37 Posted December 14, 2018 12 hours ago, Road Runner said: Why can't we redo the spelling of the American language to eliminate superfluous letters? How many hours are wasted each day in the US typing in unnecessary letters ?? Probably gazillions. Why is there a "w" in sword? Why is there an "h" in john? I don't know but I loved the argument between the dog Brian and the baby Stewie on Family guy about whether to pronounce the "h" in "what," "where," etc. One of our Presidents, I think Teddy Roosevelt, endorsed an organization that wanted to spell words as they sound. Part of the problem is our descendants would go to England and wouldn't be able to reed the sines. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BuffJim Posted December 14, 2018 Share #38 Posted December 14, 2018 6 hours ago, MickinMD said: I don't know but I loved the argument between the dog Brian and the baby Stewie on Family guy about whether to pronounce the "h" in "what," "where," etc. One of our Presidents, I think Teddy Roosevelt, endorsed an organization that wanted to spell words as they sound. Part of the problem is our descendants would go to England and wouldn't be able to reed the sines. Was that the famous Cool Whip episode? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan Posted December 14, 2018 Share #39 Posted December 14, 2018 YLanguage changes in response to user preferences. Just start leaving out letters, others will follow, then some liberals arts college somewhere will advocate for your marginalized group of the phonetically oppressed, the New York Times will run a feature story and series of opinion pieces, Fox News will counter with anti-immigration or anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim spin, the moderate liberal majority will be mobilized in what appears to be a quick win, ending in the transformation you seek. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted December 14, 2018 Share #40 Posted December 14, 2018 5 minutes ago, roadsue said: YLanguage changes in response to user preferences. Just start leaving out letters, others will follow, then some liberals arts college somewhere will advocate for your marginalized group of the phonetically oppressed, the New York Times will run a feature story and series of opinion pieces, Fox News will counter with anti-immigration or anti-Semitic or anti-Muslim spin, the moderate liberal majority will be mobilized in what appears to be a quick win, ending in the transformation you seek. Wh t a g e t i ea Roa sue. Let' tart tod y. I pr pose th t a l p sts t day lea e out let e s. I mi ht n t b pe f t at fi st b t e h ve to s art so ew ere. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Razors Edge ★ Posted December 14, 2018 Share #41 Posted December 14, 2018 5 minutes ago, Kzoo said: Wh t a g e t i ea Roa sue. Let' tart tod y. I pr pose th t a l p sts t day lea e out let e s. I mi ht n t b pe f t at fi st b t e h ve to s art so ew ere. The brain does a good job filling in missing letters using context and some guesswork. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted December 14, 2018 Share #42 Posted December 14, 2018 I have been getting rid of useless letters in my father in-law’s office. He saved everything. He had letters from social security, friends, banks that he hasn’t had an account at for 40 years. He had file cabinets crammed full of letters. I have been trying to be careful and not toss anything important. I finally found a folder full of letters he wrote to my mother in-law while he was a missionary in Siberia right after the Soviet Union broke up. It looks like he wrote to her every day. I read some of his letters and they were beautiful. I saved the whole folder. I don’t consider those useless letters. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MoseySusan Posted December 14, 2018 Share #43 Posted December 14, 2018 2 hours ago, Kzoo said: Wh t a g e t i ea Roa sue. Let' tart tod y. I pr pose th t a l p sts t day lea e out let e s. I mi ht n t b pe f t at fi st b t e h ve to s art so ew ere. He said useless letters. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
groupw Posted December 14, 2018 Share #44 Posted December 14, 2018 1 hour ago, Longjohn said: I have been getting rid of useless letters in my father in-law’s office. He saved everything. He had letters from social security, friends, banks that he hasn’t had an account at for 40 years. He had file cabinets crammed full of letters. I have been trying to be careful and not toss anything important. I finally found a folder full of letters he wrote to my mother in-law while he was a missionary in Siberia right after the Soviet Union broke up. It looks like he wrote to her every day. I read some of his letters and they were beautiful. I saved the whole folder. I don’t consider those useless letters. I have a tote of letters and documents from my grandpa. Even though he lived 500 mikes away, he has a diploma from the business school here. I never knew that until then. He worked for the postal service and kept meticulous logs of what he did on a particular day. When I saw one from the right time frame and it looks like my dad talked to him a couple days after I was born! We have a close family link to Woodrow Wilson. My day has seen a photo of Woodrow and my great grandfather together on horses when they were young men. However the exact link is not known among the following generations. We do know great grandfather received a letter inviting him to Woodrow’s funeral from Mrs Wilson. As I was going through the tote, I found a letter from my great aunt asking if my grandpa was in possession of the letter. Allergies from the dust kept me from looking deeper that day. I will try again some time. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kzoo Posted December 14, 2018 Share #45 Posted December 14, 2018 1 hour ago, roadsue said: He said useless letters. It's a very fine line and my glasses were dirty, th s ma ing t e l ne h rd t s e Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MickinMD ★ Posted December 14, 2018 Share #46 Posted December 14, 2018 11 hours ago, BuffJim said: Was that the famous Cool Whip episode? I think so, I just remember laughing my butt off over the wh vs w pronunciation. I began noticing that some people put the h into wh words. Actually, I guess it's technically a "dipthong" with "wh" together because the w and h sounds a made virtually together. Even Linda Ronstadt, with her laid-back Southwestern accent (she say's "cain't" instead of "can't" etc.) sings "when," etc. with the "h" instead of "wen," etc. in most of her songs - except "When will I be loved," one of her early recordings, where it's barely noticeable. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Further Posted December 14, 2018 Share #47 Posted December 14, 2018 I don't get many letters, useless or valuable, but I could sure stand to lose some advertising mail. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Longjohn ★ Posted December 15, 2018 Share #48 Posted December 15, 2018 1 hour ago, Further said: I don't get many letters, useless or valuable, but I could sure stand to lose some advertising mail. I heat my house with mine. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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