"Untracked" versus "On Track"

[Headless Bobcat]

I'm currently in a discussion with the PJ Star Facebook poster over the use (or incorrect use) of the word "untracked" in the latest article about the Braves victory over the Illini.

Example:
"Freshman Brandon Paul, in a funk most of the game, scored seven points in a row to get his team untracked."

http://www.bradleyhoops.com/homepage/x215412061/Bradley-takes-down-Illinois

Dave Reynolds should know that the term he is looking for is "on track." As in...to get a train back on track and moving again.

"Untracked" is an adjective meaning "lacking pathways."

I figure there is no better resource for proper grammar than a public message board. So I put it to you...am I wrong here?

[tornado]

via the common pathway known as "urban use" just about any word can begin meaning just about anything
and "untracked" is now used so much to mean "get going" or "snap out of a funk"...that you might as well go with the flow..
but I do agree, it is just a misuse of "on track"...

[Beninator]

Grammar..... PJS...... Do you want a miracle?

[Headless Bobcat]

via the common pathway known as "urban use" just about any word can begin meaning just about anything
and "untracked" is now used so much to mean "get going" or "snap out of a funk"...that you might as well go with the flow..
but I do agree, it is just a misuse of "on track"...

Whew...that's a relief. I thought I was alone on this.

I guess you're right. If something is mis-used long enough...it becomes acceptable slang.

But it still bugs me when slang is used in straight news stories (like using the word "trey" instead of "three point shot"). Save that for the editorials.

Irregardlessly and for all intensive purposes...it was a great win for the Braves.

[tornado]

I have also gotten a chuckle out of these phrases ..
"under the radar screen" (as opposed to under the radar)
"the opponent found their Achilles tendon" (as opposed to their Achilles heel")
"took one in the roundhouse" (as opposed to taking one in the "wheelhouse")
"we have to play within ourselves" (whatever that means)

[thefish7]

To be fair to DR couldn't he have meant that they were on track to failure, and he was trying to get them untracked? A train on the tracks isn't necessarily headed to the right station.

[Headless Bobcat]

Another common message board mistake that makes me sad...

"Should of" instead of "Should've" or "Should have"

(see also "could of")

[Disturbed]

The use of the term(?) prolly instead of probably makes me cringe. As in "Bradley will prolly beat NIU." I see it all of the time on the PJS message boards, most likely from younger users. Are there actually people out there that think this is a word?

[Fetz86]

The use of the term(?) prolly instead of probably makes me cringe. As in "Bradley will prolly beat NIU." I see it all of the time on the PJS message boards, most likely from younger users. Are there actually people out there that think this is a word?

Prolly

[RaiderOfBradley]

I'm currently in a discussion with the PJ Star Facebook poster over the use (or incorrect use) of the word "untracked" in the latest article about the Braves victory over the Illini.

Example:
"Freshman Brandon Paul, in a funk most of the game, scored seven points in a row to get his team untracked."

http://www.bradleyhoops.com/homepage/x215412061/Bradley-takes-down-Illinois

Dave Reynolds should know that the term he is looking for is "on track." As in...to get a train back on track and moving again.

"Untracked" is an adjective meaning "lacking pathways."

I figure there is no better resource for proper grammar than a public message board. So I put it to you...am I wrong here?

This is something that has bothered me lately, too. As a writer myself, it should be "on track" instead of "untracked," but you probably will have a heck of a time getting anyone to change now.

I have also noted that sometimes people cut words down, such as "u" for "you" and the already noted, "prolly" for "probably." It is a product of the times, with text messaging and such, that people don't know how to spell correctly.

[chitown fanatic]

this is a funny thread! How about some of Ex-cubs broadcaster Carter's famous lines...He's the elder statement(instead of statesman) or "dead as a doorknob"(doornail) He's also the same guy who questiuoned Jim McMahon on when he last talked with Pete Rozelle(long dead at the time) Stupidity of others is funny.

[Bradleyguy10]

Someone help me with this because it has always confused me.

The term "I could care less" being used when someone cares very little. To me it has ALWAYS seemed like that is wrong and the proper term should be "I couldn't care less" as in I care so little it is physically impossible for me to care any less.

Am I wrong, confused, or just dumb.

[Braves4Life]

I'm still waiting for OoB to chime in. He's the board expert on proper grammar

[Headless Bobcat]

What about when people refer to the Out of Conference schedule as OCC. I never understood that one.

But these are just message board quirks.

The original target of this thread was educated, professional journalists who use urban slang in straight news stories without any regard for journalistic writing standards. I'm just glad I could get that off my chest.

[SFP]

What about when people refer to the Out of Conference schedule as OCC. I never understood that one.

But these are just message board quirks.

The original target of this thread was educated, professional journalists who use urban slang in straight news stories without any regard for journalistic writing standards. I'm just glad I could get that off my chest.

Editorial integrity is not what it use to be and I'm afraid it will only get worse!