Today's grammar pet peeve: people who say "out of" when they actually mean "in." Example: "John Hancock is an insurance company out of Boston." Which, taken literally, tells you that John Hancock is based somewhere besides Boston, which doesn't narrow it down a lot. Similar: "off of," as in "HTML is based off of SGML." The metaphor being groped for here is that SGML is a structural foundation ("base") upon which HTML sits. If HTML is based "off of" SGML, it's actually built on something besides SGML, isn't it?

Bonus peeve: "centered around." It's either "around" or "centered on." Pick one.

Ranting aside, these appear to be Britishisms which are becoming prevalent even among American writers thanks to the influence of the Internet. I'd expect to see a lot more of this until we're all speaking the same language again in a century or two. Both varieties of English have developed interesting idioms and metaphors during their separation, and reuniting them has the potential to create a far stronger language. I suppose we'll have to accept "off of" and "out of" meaning their literal opposites to get the good stuff.

Re: peeves

There are 3 messages in this thread, displayed in the order they were posted.

Keith 11/5/2007 1:57:10 PM Pacific

You don't know from grammar?

Pete

12/4/2007 9:13:48 AM Pacific

Here in the UK we'd call "out of" an Americanism. As far as I know, it's used (in the sense to which you're referring) only in nautical circles, where a merchant vessel is sometimes said to be "out of" its home port. I think that particular usage is much wider than the UK - probably worldwide, though I'm not certain. The only other context in which I've heard it used in the way you describe is, ironically, in imported American TV shows. And yes, it irritates the hell out of me too.
Aside from that, you seem to be assuming the stance that American English is the world standard to which the rest of us should conform. Well, fella, that's the kind of Ameri-centric arrogance that has helped to make your nation the most hated on the planet. You might like to think about that.

Jerry Kindall

12/4/2007 5:52:12 PM Pacific

It's possible that it's something we invented rather than imported. It sounds like a Britishism to my ears, but that doesn't mean it is.

It is currently 10/13/2008 3:18:46 PM Pacific.

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Re: peeves