9. Pique My Curiosity
Incorrect forms of this expression abound, sometimes appearing as “peak my curiosity” or “peek my curiosity.” To pique means to prick or stimulate, which is not to be confused with the homophones “peak,” meaning apex, or “peek,” meaning glimpse.
10. All of a Sudden
“All of the sudden” is just plain wrong. Use “a” instead.
11. Case in Point
This expression is used when a specific instance serves as evidence, and it’s not “case and point,” as some people claim. “People really screw up the English language. Case in point—have you ever noticed how many people use the word ‘irregardless’?”
12. Toward, Anyway
These words do not have an “s” on the end. “Towards” and “anyways” may have a folksy, rustic quality in spoken English, but they are not used in formal writing.
13. With Bated Breath
Only if my fiancé ate a whole tub of Nutella would he have irresistible “baited breath.” “Bated breath,” as the expression actually goes, contains a shortened form of the word “abated,” meaning held off or postponed. I’ll wait with bated breath for my fiancé to get started on that Nutella.
14. Sleight of Hand
Although magicians might have “slight” hands with nimble and slender fingers, their art is called “sleight of hand,” which means deceit or dexterity. Theoretically, however, an illusionist in need of more practice could have developed only a slight sleight of hand.
15. Beck and Call
Many people conflate idiomatic expressions when they don’t understand where they come from, and the result is many expressions like this one, which ends up being transcribed as “beckon call.” “Beck” is an old form of the word “beckon,” and it simply means that you are accessible to somebody via either gesture or vocalization.
Mangled forms of English idioms may be common, but that doesn’t make them right. And unfortunately, correcting other people’s grammar is not always a surefire method of gaining popularity. If you don’t feel comfortable explaining the difference between “bring,” “brung,” and “brought,” it’s okay to let it go, but if you encounter someone who insists on using the word “supposably,” please … gently remind him that there is no such word. You’ll be doing us all a big favor.
Updated January 19, 2011
