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Originally Posted by maiden_fan_us
And forte is pronounced FORT not FORTAY.
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This is from Merriam-Webster:
usage In forte we have a word derived from French that in its "strong point" sense has no entirely satisfactory pronunciation. Usage writers have denigrated \'for-"tA\ and \'for-tE\ because they reflect the influence of the Italian-derived 2forte. Their recommended pronunciation \'fort\, however, does not exactly reflect French either: the French would write the word le fort and would rhyme it with English for. So you can take your choice, knowing that someone somewhere will dislike whichever variant you choose. All are standard, however. In British English \'fo-"tA\ and \'fot\ predominate; \'for-"tA\ and \for-'tA\ are probably the most frequent pronunciations in American English.
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Originally Posted by maiden_fan_us
Contrary to popular belief, irregardless is NOT a word.
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Also from Merriam-Webster:
usage Irregardless originated in dialectal American speech in the early 20th century. Its fairly widespread use in speech called it to the attention of usage commentators as early as 1927. The most frequently repeated remark about it is that "there is no such word." There is such a word, however. It is still used primarily in speech, although it can be found from time to time in edited prose. Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead.
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Originally Posted by fhqwhgads
When you see a patrol car driving down the road with lights and sirens, pull to the right and STOP.
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Is this the case as well on Interstate Highways? My understanding was that you should continue driving at speed in your current lane and the primary accomodation is to always allow an emergency vehicle to move in front of you. By slowing down or stopping and/or quickly swerving into other lanes, you are far more likely to cause an accident. This is what I've been told by people I know (ambulance drivers, police officers) and seems to be the common agreeable amongst my friends.
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Originally Posted by Daoust
A teacher cannot fail a student ( in elementary at least) without the full consent and cooperation of the parent. The student can miss an entire year of school, not know how to read or write, or have any positive social communication skills, and can be placed in the above grade, on the parents permission. This, in a nutshell, is one of the major reasons why the education system is so frigged up.
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This one interests me. Do you have any links? This cannot be federal law, meaning each state would have to have this enacted. Most states leave this up to the school distrcits in question. I doubt all school districts in the U.S. have a regulation like this. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I'd live to see more info if anyone has any.
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Originally Posted by SirLance
...Which is why so many Canadians are lined up at Buffalo, NY, hospitals to get coronary bypass surgery done...
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Ah, but how many Americans are lined up in Canada (Windsor) to get prescription drugs? How many in Mexico for alternative treatments and surgeries not authorized by the FDA? It's not opinion, it's supported fact. Yes, we spend more money than any other country in medical developments, but the outrageous, criminially neglegent acts of price gouging within the U.S. insurance industry prevents the average U.S. citizen from receiving benefits from it.
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Originally Posted by Gilda
The correct inflation pressure for the stock tires on your car is the one recommended by your car's manufacturer, not the maximum listed on the tire, and is usually found on a sticker inside the driver's side door or glove compartment.
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As a side note... the inflation information on MOST tires is only a maximum PSI value, rather than a recommended value.