Questions you'd like answering, regardless of how trivial they may seem

[VinSumRox]

Why does BBC radio (especially 2) insist on playing background music when people are talking? They even do it when doing traffic news.

 

[Electric_Andy]

Why does BBC radio (especially 2) insist on playing background music when people are talking? They even do it when doing traffic news.

This used to really wind me up, especially if you have the bass set high or a sub in the boot of the car. All you can hear is talking with a massive boom in the background.

 

[glasgowcyclist]

I watch a lo

Why does BBC radio (especially 2) insist on playing background music when people are talking? They even do it when doing traffic news.

I watch a lot of stuff on YouTube and insta about languages and linguistics. The number of these which insist on background music is bonkers.

If you’re trying to demonstrate the correct phonetic sounds of a foreign language, why complicate it by overlaying useless music, which only serves to interfere? 😡

 

[VinSumRox]

It's not just me then!

 

[johnnyb47]

Does hemorrhoid cream help in tightening up loose skin on your face ,🤔

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Does hemorrhoid cream help in tightening up loose skin on your face ,🤔

I don't kno... Wait... WHAT??!! 😆

 

[colly]

Does hemorrhoid cream help in tightening up loose skin on your face ,🤔

It depends where your face is I suppose.

 

[colly]

Flammable, inflammable.

Conspicuous, inconspicuous.

Who makes the rules up ?????

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

Flammable, inflammable.

Conspicuous, inconspicuous.

Who make the rules up ?????

Makes. 😆

 

[colly]

Makes. 😆

I wondered who would spot that first.

 

[DaveReading]

Makes. 😆

No, ""who" can be either singular or plural, so can be used with either "make" or "makes".

Who do those grammar nazis think they are?

 

[MontyVeda]

Why cant you get quicker than a Kwik Fit fitter?

Because proper mechanics actually do the work instead of just taking the payment.

My Mum is not a Baby Boomer, because she was born during the war. I am not a Baby Boomer, because I am too young. I am Generation X. My son was born in 2003, so what does that make him? We must be at Generation A or B by now, unless we're using Greek letters.

Zed (or Zee if he's american)

 

[Mad Doug Biker]

No, ""who" can be either singular or plural, so can be used with either "make" or "makes".

Who do those grammar nazis think they are?

Yebbut,

"Who make the rules up?"

Doesn't really make any sense, unless it is, say, 'The Who' and even then, what an odd question when put into the context of the rest of what is being said? 🤔

Oh and Nazi nothing!

 

[Alex321]

No, ""who" can be either singular or plural, so can be used with either "make" or "makes".

Who do those grammar nazis think they are?

They think they are correct (and they are).

It's not entirely about whether it is singular or plural - I make the rules up, you make the rules up, we make the rules up, they make the rules up. But he makes the rules up, she makes the rules up it makes the rules up. Basically, third person singular is "makes", first or second person (singular or plural) or third person plural is "make".

And while "who" can be plural, it isn't usually, so should use "makes" as with other third person singular.

 

[Punkawallah]

Yebbut,

"Who make the rules up?"

Doesn't really make any sense, unless it is, say, 'The Who' and even then, what an odd question when put into the context of the rest of what is being said? 🤔

Oh and Nazi nothing!

You can blame the 18th century and its ‘Age of Reason’ for that sort of thing. They did like a bit of codifying and dictionary-ing.

As for ‘grammar Nazis’, I get a lot of that - mainly from people who can’t/won’t use the language properly in public.