It's the end of the world as we know it

[desperance]

I just heard a reporter on the BBC - on Radio 4, yet! - talking about "two passer-bys". Who could conceivably say that, and not be strangled in outrage by their own tongues? I grant that one says sergeants-major and attorneys-general more for the fun of it than the necessity, but passers-by isn't even pedantic, it's just right...

Comments

[triciasullivan.livejournal.com]

'strangled in outrage by their own tongues?'

I'd love to see a picture of that...

[ephiriel.livejournal.com]

You should work in my office. Actually maybe not - you'd be suicidal by lunchtime.

[ephiriel.livejournal.com]

Oh great now I've got the song running though my head - how am I supposed to sleep?

[mizkit.livejournal.com]

Most people have no idea that "passers-by" is correct, though. Nor that it's "handsful", not "handfuls". And in time, sadly enough, they'll be right and we'll be wrong, because that's how language works.