"Untracked" versus "On Track"

[lefty]

I was last in the scholar line. I figure as long as I get the point and others get mine....it's all good

[Nacho]

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?

I am definitely guilty of this one... I think it stems from texting as "prolly" is easier to type out then "probably" on a cell phone... I try to refrain from using in on message boards thought...

[AE Braves Fan]

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

I believe you meant to say "...for all intents and purposes..."

[Headless Bobcat]

I believe you meant to say "...for all intents and purposes..."

1 point for recognizing the mistake. But minus 1 point for not recognizing it as a joke....along with the use of "irregardless."

[Dubl R 1]

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)

Nothing gets me more irritated than people who say "Do you want my John Henry on that"?....meaning do you want my signature.

Now, if I'm not mistaken John Henry raced a steam engine and died with his hammer in his hand, while it was John Hancock who became famous for his signature.

Where and how did these two figures get crossed up in peoples minds. I bet I here this messed up by people at least 10 times a week at my work, and It just bothers me to no end.

[Dubl R 1]

1 point for recognizing the mistake. But minus 1 point for not recognizing it as a joke....along with the use of "irregardless."

irregardless also annoys me. Regardless is all you need, irregardless is overkill.

[epistibrain]

Bobcat, I'm with you 100% on this one. I don't recall hearing that ignorant misuse of the English language before about five years ago, but now it seems to have become ubiquitous in sports broadcasts. It is even worse to see it creeping into print. I can forgive poor usage a little more easily during live broadcasts, but in print it is just lazy. And it is not simply a matter of using slang, it is a case of repeating a mistake that has become so common that it has become accepted by people who don't know better.

My nomination for the word that broadcasters use the most in spite of having no idea what it means is "journeyman." (Hint: it doesn't have anything to do with getting traded.)

[Fyrebyrd]

while this conversation is long past dead. The Journal Star must love that terminology, because they use it again in the subtitle of this Rivermen article.

http://www.pjstar.com/news/x1439500937/Rivermen-boxed-by-Abbotsford

[AZ BU Fan]

Not sure on the correct use of "untracked", but, I'm pretty sure you can say the BU MBB program has fallen 'off the tracks'!

[Chico]

I was last in the scholar line. I figure as long as I get the point and others get mine....it's all good

You beat me to it Lefty.

[longtimelistener]

Per dictionary.com:

2. Informal. achieving a superior level of performance after a slow start: The team suddenly got untracked and began to score.

Sure, it's informal, but that doesn't make it wrong.

[Headless Bobcat]

Sure, it's informal, but that doesn't make it wrong.

"Informal" basically means common mis-use.

Maybe it's acceptable for an internet post (albeit, annoying). But anybody with a journalism degree that works in the newspaper industry should be embarrassed by using a word like this.

[longtimelistener]

Informal actually means:

1. without formality or ceremony; casual: an informal visit.
2. not according to the prescribed, official, or customary way or manner; irregular; unofficial: informal proceedings.
3. suitable to or characteristic of casual and familiar, but educated, speech or writing.
4. Grammar. characterizing the second singular pronominal or verbal form, or its use, in certain languages: the informal tu in French.

Other examples of journalists who should be embarrassed because the Headless one says so:

UPI is terrible: http://www.upi.com/Sports_News/2009/...4941261344465/

Awful, awful writer here: http://www.connpost.com/sports/ci_14043861

This guy might actually be terrible: http://www.wcfcourier.com/sports/hig...cc4c03286.html

http://www.hometownannapolis.com/news/spo/2009/12/20-10/Giants-try-to-get-D-untracked.html

The St. Louis Blues-Tampa Bay Lightning preview from Dec. 17 on CBSSportsline also used untracked.

But you go ahead a keep that soapbox sturdy.

[AZ BU Fan]

My favorite from my Cat working days was the use of the wrd "incentative" vs "incentive" ...

[dogsrus]

I liked the Sienfeld episode....Kramer... "Statue of limitations."