This blog post was inspired by my husband. He was reading a library book, and some wannabe editor had written a correction to something in the book. What was that correction? This person changed “another thing coming” to “another think coming.”
I have always said, “another thing coming.” There is some controversy concerning the correct usage. The grammarians mostly go with “another think coming,” but many people use the one I always say. “Another thing coming” has become so popular that it has become part of the lexicon.
Because of the controversy regarding this phrase, I decided to check out other phrases that might be misused. Many of the misused phrases have to do with homophones, words that are pronounced the same but are spelled differently. However, some on the list are just said incorrectly. That’s where my focus lies. Here is a list, although not an exhaustive one.
I could care less or I couldn’t care less?
Deep-seeded or deep-seated?
Doggy-dog world or dog-eat-dog world?
It’s a mute point or it’s a moot point?
Should of or should have?
Case and point or case in point?
Irregardless or regardless?
Hunger pains or hunger pangs?
Escaped Goat or scapegoat?
For all intensive purposes or for all intents and purposes?
Tongue and cheek or tongue in cheek?
The spitting image or the spit and image?
One in the same or one and the same?
Nipped in the butt or nipped in the bud?
Supposably or supposedly?
If you don’t mind me asking or if you don’t mind my asking?
Chomping at the bit or champing at the bit?
Hone in or home in?
After looking at this list, I realize I have used some of these phrases incorrectly all my life. We usually learn our language patterns from our parents. So if your parents said some of these phrases incorrectly, you probably do also. In the above list, all of the second choices are considered correct. Three of them, besides “another thing coming,” are finding their way into the lexicon because their misuse is so common. Those are “irregardless,” “hunger pains,” and “hone in.” But some grammar snobs will not agree no matter how much those phrases are used.
Which ones, if any, do you misuse?
I will give away an ebook copy of the first book in my Kellersburg series, Hometown Promise, to one person who leaves a comment on the blog. My next book, Hometown Cowboy, the fourth book in the series, will be ready for preorder in March. Here’s the cover.
I will draw the winner’s name on February 24, 2020 at 9PM MST.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. When she’s not writing, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels.
I’ve used a couple of those incorrectly and never had a clue. I believe region plays a role in phrasing and pronunciation (we hear it differently). It is interesting!
I do believe it depends where you live. This little Aussie born to immigrant parents learnt to speak English at school. Books were my source, so I sort of learnt the Queen’s English. Plus it was my favourite subject at school, so I do notice inconsistencies and what to me is bad grammar!! Many of the first phrases I have never heard, but I do use spitting image!! Lol
Thanks for a very interesting post!
Hi Merrillee! Interesting post! As a immigrant to the US and as a world language teacher, I agree with Kim and Margaret word choice as dialect can be regional. Not to be a language snob, but educated Midwesterners / Northerners often consider themselves to speak a more standard English. This is not only true in the US, but in Germany. Then there is the difference between Aussie, British and American English. That is why I enjoy the Oxford dictionary. They make distinctions between all three.
In my reading, I also recently came across “another think coming.” Didn’t think that an editor actually changed it. Thought that spell check had. Always enjoy a thought provoking blog. There were only 3 that I use incorrectly. Not bad for a Midwest German immigrant. Michigan is warming up. Enjoy your week.
Wauw, what an interesting post! English is my second language, but in my high school, a lot of attention was always paid to grammar. But now that you bring it to my attention, I understand why it’s so hard to say it correctly. I must honestly confess that I recognize these kinds of sentences in my own language (Dutch) as well.
Oh my goodness, I loved this but I’m sure some of them (“supposably”) made my blood pressure go up! I don’t know how anyone learns English as a second language. I agree with the comment above that lexicon varies greatly from region to region. p.s. your book covers are beautiful!
This is interesting! I’ve used 4 of them incorrectly. I’m from Florida, but my parents were from Alabama and Georgia. English is definitely an interesting language! Trying to explain some things to people from other countries has been interesting sometimes!!
Greetings from Germany. I very recently contacted the German language society (duden.de) to report a spelling error (which really made it a grammatical error) on their website. They wrote back to say that though it was wrong, they’d added it to the German dictionary because so many use it.
Say what again?!
From a spiritual standpoint, If find it scary that words or phrases are added to dictionaries even though they are wrong just “because everybody says it”. No, no, no.
We’ve been given an excellent spirit, not just temporarily like Daniel, but the indwelling Spirit of Wisdom. Let’s do things, say things, write things correctly.
As for adding wrong things and list them right along with things that are right, God has something to say about that:
Exodus 23:2 – You shall not follow a crowd to do evil. NJKV
Proverbs 12:1 – If you love learning, you love the discipline that goes with it— how shortsighted to refuse correction! MSG
A bit more bluntly, the BSB says, “… he who hates correction is stupid.” Ahh, plain speech.
Isaiah 5:20 – CEV – You are headed for trouble! You say wrong is right, darkness is light, and bitter is sweet.
Anyhow, God commends a teachable spirit. Let’s have teachable one, then.
I really enjoyed reading the phrases! It was interesting!
The internal editor in me loves this post! Recently I received an editorial review on one of my published books saying that I used a word incorrectly. The word in question was “pored” as in She pored over the articles. The editor felt it should be poured. However I researched it and found out “pored” was indeed the correct verb! So it just goes to show that even professional wordsmiths get it wrong sometimes!
I had no idea that “another thing coming” could be considered correct. I have always heard “think.” As in… if he thinks he’s going to get away with that, he’s got another think coming!
English is a tricky language, for sure.
Wow, I always thought another “think” coming would be wrong! I always use thing…and I always said nip it in the bud. Guess I have been wrong all this time!
I’ve always said spitting image and have actually never heard or seen the correct way to say it until your post.
Interesting post!
Hi Kim,
I think you’re right that regional differences can make a difference in how we speak.
Hi Margaret,
I find the differences in the English language interesting. Each country has its own expressions. I love to watch British and Aussie programs on TV, but I often have to put on the closed caption feature in order to catch everything.
Hi Renate,
Yes, it is interesting that even though three different countries speak English that we each have our own phrases and even spellings of words. Yes, and regional speech patterns can make a difference. I’ve lived all over the US, and I have found differences from region to region. The most interesting ones were in the northeast. Instead of saying drinking fountain or water fountain, they say “bubbler.”
I’ve used a few of them incorrectly too. Probably the most common one is “another thing coming”.
Marilene,
I imagine that learning English as a second language has its challenges. I was interested that when we visited The Netherlands that many, many people there spoke English. We even listened in on a conversation in a restaurant where the people went from English to Dutch in the same sentence. We asked them about it, and they said they often don’t even realize they are doing it.
Hi Erin,
Thanks. I’m glad you like my book covers. I agree that learning English must be a challenge. There are so many weird things about English with word that sound alike but are pronounced differently and words that have similar letter combinations that are pronounced in a different way. Crazy.
Hi Trudy,
You are correct. English is an interesting language. It is also interesting to see how language changes over time and how new words are added to the dictionary.
Hi Anke,
Yes, it is important that we adhere to God’s word and don’t change it.
Hi Lori,
Thanks for stopping by the blog. I’m glad you found the post interesting.
Hi Laurie,
Although I didn’t address homophones in this post, some of the phrases I encountered when researching for this post included homophones. There are a lot of them that can be misused. Sometimes even when I know the correct one to use, I use a different one in my haste as I write. Some of them I have to look up every time.
Hi Valerie,
I have always used the wrong one and didn’t even know that “another think coming” was the correct usage. So I’m one of those people who made the inclusion of “another thing coming” in the lexicon. I found it interesting that an edited, published hardcover book used “another thing coming.”
Hi Paula,
I’m with you on “another think coming.” That always sounded wrong to me.
Hi Kimberly,
I’ve used that one incorrectly also for years.
Hi Megan,
I believe a lot of people use “another thing coming.” That’s why there is such a controversy.
I love this! Misused phrases are one of my biggest pet peeves. I had a teacher who adored idioms and did a whole unit on homophones, and it became an obsession for me. I’ve used plenty incorrectly in the past, but as soon as I learn the etymology and proper wording, I adopt it. It’s kind of fun to research the histories of certain expressions and helps to make sense of why one is correct over the oft misheard version.
Hi, I have always Just the other day I was talking to my youngest sister and I said “Nip it on the butt! I have also used some of the other ones you wrote, so interesting. Your book sounds like a Great read and the book cover is Beautiful. Have a Great week and stay safe.
Hi Jaycee,
It is so interesting to learn the origins of words and phrases. Homophones can be troublesome. I once had a published book in which I used peddle instead of pedal. No editors caught it, but a reader did. I was so glad to get the rights back to that book and fix that error. In fact, it’s one of the Kellersburg books, Hometown Proposal.
Hi Alicia,
I have never used “nip it in the butt,” but I have used “spitting image.”
Love the post Thanks for sharing!
Interesting. Thank you for sharing.
I’ve never even heard of “another think coming”! (Grammarly also does not like it as I’m typing.) ;)
There are differences in dialects. Some of these might be from the UK while others are from the US.
I’m a freelance proofreader. Here are the ones I would say are correct:
I couldn’t care less
deep-seated
dog-eat-dog world
it’s a moot point
should have
case in point
regardless
Hunger pains or hunger pangs? I guess the context and audience would determine this one. I think a contemporary story could have “hunger pains” with no problem.
scapegoat
for all intents and purposes
tongue in cheek
The spitting image
one and the same
nipped in the bud
supposedly (never heard of supposably!)
If you don’t mind me asking or if you don’t mind my asking? Both are correct; it depends on whether the focus of the question is the asking (the first) or whose asking (the second).
Chomping at the bit
Hone in
Interesting post! I still think “another think coming” sounds wrong LOL
I must admit I’ve used a couple of those incorrectly too.
This was such an interesting post. I know I have used a couple of these things wrong.
as a former paralegal, I hate when I see mute substituted for moot.
Very interesting post! I misuse a few of them, most notably, chomping at the bit.
Thanks for sharing this. It’s very interesting.
Hi Lila,
You might have to argue with grammarians who wrote the articles I read. According to these “experts “ the second choices are correct.
Hi Natalya,
I agree with you. I think “another think coming” sounds odd.
Hi Angeline,
I would guess that almost everyone uses at least one of these incorrectly.
Hi Denise,
I can see why, as a paralegal, that use of mute would annoy you.
Hi Ellie,
I also misuse that one. I think the similarity of the two words may cause that.
Hi Mary,
You’re welcome. Thanks for visiting the blog.
I recognize many of these that I have probably said incorrectly! One of the ones I still have trouble knowing which is the right one is “I could care less or I couldn’t care less”, because to me they both sound right, lol!
Great examples Merrillee! I don’t even think about some of these sayings when I say them. But I bet you’re right when you say our language can be influenced by our parents and other adults in our lives. :-)
I have said another thing coming and moot point. I hate irregardless and exact same.
The English language evolves over time. What was once considered incorrect maybe considered everyday language 50 years from now. That’s what makes language so fascinating.
Oh, my. Good stuff!
My parents were both teachers (one of French and the other of Music and later English) and words and wordplay were a part of daily life for me growing up.
My memory of “another thing coming” was that “thing” was correct (“things” can come, “think” is an action not a thing), while “think” was a cute play on words which could be used for humorous intent in less formal writing.
It’s funny that you used “wannabe” instead of “want-to-be” in your introduction. It is part of the collection of informal contractions (“wanna”, “gonna”, “gotta”, etc.) that come from writing the sounds of connected speech. Connected speech is the bane of second language learners because even when the speaker is thinking the correct grammar, the rushed sounds come out as misleading or, in some cases, incorrect. We have a dear friend whose first language is Spanish who confesses to struggling with the difference between “thirsty” and “Thursday” in spoken English. “Should of” versus “should’ve (should have)” falls in the same category.
In fact, many others on the list suffer from this same confusion, born of trying to make written sense of spoken phrases (“case and point” v. “case in point”, “mute” v. “moot”, etc.)
Some of the items on the list arise because of a lack of knowledge about technical terms specific to their settings. As Denise pointed out, “moot” is a word that has technical meaning in the context of the law. If you aren’t familiar with that usage, you might be likely to fill in “mute” as the word to use even though the pronunciation is slightly different. The same is true of “chomping” v. “champing” at the bit. Chomping is a biting action obviously related to the mouth and the bit on a bridle goes into the horse’s mouth. However, “champing” has nothing to do with biting. It is the action of straining against the back pressure of the bit in the mouth when the reins are pulled back to restrain the horse from moving forward. “Champing at the bit” is a picture of strong eagerness to move forward against restraint.
One that is not on the list that irks me no end is the use of “unseasonably” by weather broadcasters. “Seasonal” means that something is appropriate to the season. “Seasonable” means you can put salt and pepper on it. The weather should be described as “unseasonally” cold but even the spell check for this comment box doesn’t like it. Hmph!
I have heard it said that Chinese and English are the two hardest languages to learn, especially as a second language. Chinese has some 30,000 symbols to learn for a functional ability to read the language. English has so many exceptions to its rules that even seasoned (well salted and peppered?!) users still get confused.
It makes for a fun blog conversation, though. LOL!
Hi Lincoln,
You brought up some interesting points and added some context to these sayings. Thanks.
Hi Trixi,
I also don’t usually think about these sayings until something like the library book sparks my interest. I know some would be horrified that a person wrote in a library book.
Hi Sonnetta,
I also hate irregardless, but it seems to be more accepted these days.
Hi Rachiel,
You are exactly right. The language continues to change. If you go back, many years to old English, most of us would be unable to understand it. New words are added to the dictionary each year also.
Wow, thanks for the list! Apparently, I’ve been using wrong both “The spitting image” as well as “Chomping at the bit”. Others I was told could be interchangeable.
I would have said another thing coming. As in if you think I will do that you have another thing coming.
Also I would say Hunger pains which is what I have now after missing dinner due to a 3 hour phone call with a friend who I haven’t talked to for over a year.
The spitting image is what I would say.
most others I would say the second one. Also I think different countries say things differently. In America you would say “I lucked out” here we would say “I was in luck or I was lucky” to luck out here means just that you were out of luck.
Haha, that is true. I also notice in myself that sometimes I can express myself better in English than in Dutch. That’s probably because I read and watch so much in English.
I’ve read “another think coming” in books and thought it was a typo! I definitely hear people say what I think are the wrong phrases. Interesting list!
Hi Priscila,
You are not alone. Those are two I misuse.
Hi AusJenny,
You and a lot of other people say “another thing coming.” You are right about different saying in different countries, but even in different regions of the US, we have different sayings and expressions.
Hi Arletta,
Obviously the person who wrote in the book my husband was reading thought it should be ” another think coming.”
I have always head another thing coming not another think coming. Words and phrases can be very tricky!
I have used a few. I have learned them from my parents as well as other adults whom I have been around.
Out of that list, I usually say “the spitting image” and “if you don’t mind me asking.” All the other phrases I use correctly.