…a good post over at . . ….

Wikipedia is a resource for English usage, meaning how the language is used. If I want use idioms in my writing, I’ll use idioms. You can continue to cling to your pointless affectation of usage and feel good about yourself for doing it. I have always agreed with Otto Jespersen, who said that when using the English language, “you are allowed to walk everywhere according to your fancy without having to fear a stern keeper enforcing rigorous regulations.”

Also, what gives you the impression that I “intend” to write for a living? I already write for a living. This web site is a hobby of mine, done for my own gratification. I really don’t want to spend time splitting hairs over arcane grammatical rules in the name of being “proper.”

If you like web sites for your research, try looking up gantlet at http://www.yourdictionary.com/gantlet
and gauntlet at http://www.yourdictionary.com/gauntlet

Those are Webster’s definitions. Note that ” running the gauntlet” is shown as an idiomatic use of the language, i.e., not standard English but a commoner’s distortion.

Again, if you intend to write for a living, please don’t use the idiomatic in place of proper English; it tends to brand you as inexperienced.

@John… I absolutely agree, because teenagers scare the hell out of me.

@Heidi… I never listen to people like you, but it makes me feel good to know that people like you exist.

@DW… ha!

@Andy… ha ha!

@Lisse…. That’s creepy.

@Aaron… totally agree. Actually, I was more offended to be accused of listening to the Backstreet Boys than I would have been if I was accused of being Republican.

@Dr. M…. Yes, in fact the only thing keeping me from starting my writing career is my vexing habit of confusing “gauntlet” and “gantlet.” It’s totally holding me back. How can I ever become a real writer if I don’t master “gauntlet / gantlet??!!??”
(See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Running_the_gauntlet. My usage was perfectly consistent with current English usage of the term.)

LOL@TM