From the people who decided an acronym (LOL) is a word. Regardless of its popularity, it is not a word. Agreeing with a bunch of people who are wrong does not make you right, it just provides you with company.
Irregardless of “irregardless”, it’s the word “inconceivable” that I have a problem with. Unless given a modifier, like “almost”, it has no useful meaning. In other words, you can’t really say something is inconceivable, because you conceived it to state that it’s inconceivable! ☺
It does not say it’s a valid English word, it says very plainly that it’s a nonstandard word that should be avoided—just as does every other serious English dictionary, up to and including the Oxford English Dictionary. It is in dictionaries so that people can look it up and discover that it’s a nonstandard word, and so that foreigners and people in the future can look it up to discover what people are using it to mean, even if they shouldn’t. Oh, and it’s been in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, in particular, for decades. I have no idea why people are suddenly making a fuss.
BE THIS GUY over 4 years ago
Merriam-Webster is no longer a dictionary.
Major Matt Mason Premium Member over 4 years ago
Somehow, it seems funnier when Bugs Bunny says it.
tudza Premium Member over 4 years ago
Its documented use pre-dates Queen Victoria.
Jesy Bertz Premium Member over 4 years ago
Well, that’s (ir)ritating.
lrlattimer over 4 years ago
OK for M-W, but what’s the lowdown from Oxford?
Ib12us over 4 years ago
Irregardless, it’s still a word worth defending.
kartis over 4 years ago
This is a war I can support. Just, no.
anomalous4 over 4 years ago
BOO HISS!!! It’s an abomination (as is “alright”)!
victoria2 over 4 years ago
The Oxford comma is far more important.
DCBakerEsq over 4 years ago
We’ve already got too many words.
Let’s start getting rid of some. Like “arcane.”
panille over 4 years ago
From the people who decided an acronym (LOL) is a word. Regardless of its popularity, it is not a word. Agreeing with a bunch of people who are wrong does not make you right, it just provides you with company.
Plods with ...™ over 4 years ago
Merriam-Webster is owned by a Russian oligarch? SNERKS!
ChessPirate over 4 years ago
Irregardless of “irregardless”, it’s the word “inconceivable” that I have a problem with. Unless given a modifier, like “almost”, it has no useful meaning. In other words, you can’t really say something is inconceivable, because you conceived it to state that it’s inconceivable! ☺
Teto85 Premium Member over 4 years ago
Regardless of its widespread use, it is not a cromulent word.
Happy, happy, happy!!! Premium Member over 4 years ago
Only three stars?
John W Kennedy Premium Member over 4 years ago
It does not say it’s a valid English word, it says very plainly that it’s a nonstandard word that should be avoided—just as does every other serious English dictionary, up to and including the Oxford English Dictionary. It is in dictionaries so that people can look it up and discover that it’s a nonstandard word, and so that foreigners and people in the future can look it up to discover what people are using it to mean, even if they shouldn’t. Oh, and it’s been in the Merriam-Webster dictionary, in particular, for decades. I have no idea why people are suddenly making a fuss.
TheDOCTOR over 4 years ago
Her Majesty should have also had on Groucho glasses, mustache and a cigar in her hand with that last line.(from Duck Soup)