Learn To Say It Correctly!!

[SheriLynnRN]

Doesn't it just drive you insane when someone tells you that Mr. Smith's O2 STAT is 96%?

It's O2 SAT people! Sat, short for saturation. I even hear respiratory therapists saying this. I am sooooo tempted to say something next time, but I know it's just petty, so I needed to vent here. Thank you.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Oh, oh, I just remembered: overuse of the word utilize. One might conclude that nurses are always having to make do and use the wrong tool to get the job done.

Defs:

Use: employ objects for the purposes they were designed for. Ex: Use a screw driver to drive a screw.

Utilize: employ objects for unintended purposes. Ex: Utilize a screw driver to pound a nail.

And I'm with you, Talaxandra, on Random Capitalization (Amer sp)!

I hear utilize all the time in NS. Makes me a little bonkers. What is worse is that I am sure I am going to start saying it myself soon.

Waaaaaaaaaaaa!

[Orca, ADN, ASN, RN]

Then there are people who not only misuse words, but misidentify objects. Years ago, when I was an aide in a state mental health facility one of my coworkers was leaving after a year on the job. She reached over to the counter, picked up a Styrofoam cup and said "Is this a blood pressure cup?" One of the first things we were trained on as aides was taking BPs...I just had to shake my head and walk away.

A medical word that isn't one, from my late father (who was not a medical professional, but did not let a lack of knowledge prevent him from developing a firm opinion about something): When my mother was having her period and the irritable moods that often accompanied them, he would say "She's menustrating again."

Another one (not sure if anyone has mentioned this one): People who put apostrophes before the S in words that are plural. I have even seen this one on company signs and in company names. Or a variation - will put an apostrophe before the S in a last name that ends with S (example: Owen's) to indicate ownership.

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

Oy, that one has been beaten to death.....and is a perfectly good English word.....

Yeah...the Queen's English.... But this be America.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Yeah...the Queen's English.... But this be America.

Um no...this be the internet with UK, Kiwi and Aussie nurses (as well as many other countries) as well.

[hotflashion, BSN, RN]

Oy, that one has been beaten to death.....and is a perfectly good English word.....

Regarding orientate. Its legitimacy is debated. This verb form of the word "orient" is more accepted in the UK than in the US.

I must admit it doesn't sound good to me.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Regarding orientate. Its legitimacy is debated. This verb form of the word "orient" is more accepted in the UK than in the US.

I must admit it doesn't sound good to me.

I do not know where you think the legitimacy of this is debated. It has been in standard use since the 1800's and very evident in English literature. Brits use either. Perhaps Americans don't like it or use it -- that is perfectly OK. I don't use it because I live in the USA.

Then again I hear people say conversate here all the time. Now that is unbelievable.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

OK how about when people say:

You did good.

I'm good (in response to how are you?).

Like nails on a chalkboard.

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

Um no...this be the internet with UK, Kiwi and Aussie nurses (as well as many other countries) as well.

Original post:

Orientate....That's the one that bugs me. My mom says it all the time. Makes me want to maim small animals.

Last time I checked, my mother was American. I could be wrong though. Perhaps you know more about her than I do.

[DolceVita, ADN, BSN, RN]

Sorry you said "this be America". I was simply stating that this is an international forum not an American one. No offense intended.

[metal_m0nk, BSN, RN]

Sorry you said "this be America". I was simply stating that this is an international forum not an American one. No offense intended.

Yes, in answer to a post which referenced my stating my mother as the source of my irritation (not this message board) - meaning that my mother is American and that America is where she and I reside.

No offense taken.

[rn/writer, RN]

How about engaging in verbal contortions to avoid using the word "me"? I think some folks have gotten the impression that "me" is a dirty word and think that there is almost no acceptable way to employ it in a sentence.

Hence:

"If you have any spare harpoons, please give Captain Ahab or I a call."

Would you say, "Give I a call"? A few twisted souls no doubt would, but most people can hear the problem when the sentence is split that way.

Another example:

"Be sure to let myself know if you want a share of the blubber if we happen to use your donated harpoon."

It's do, re, MEEEEEE!

[~Mi Vida Loca~RN, ASN, RN]

How about engaging in verbal contortions to avoid using the word "me"? I think some folks have gotten the impression that "me" is a dirty word and think that there is almost no acceptable way to employ it in a sentence.

Hence:

"If you have any spare harpoons, please give Captain Ahab or I a call."

Would you say, "Give I a call"? A few twisted souls no doubt would, but most people can hear the problem when the sentence is split that way.

Another example:

"Be sure to let myself know if you want a share of the blubber if we happen to use your donated harpoon."

It's do, re, MEEEEEE!

My daughter won't say me or I. She just refers to herself in the third person. Although she is barely 3 LOL She has been doing this since she was barely 2.

Everything is Sophia this or Sophia that or Sophia just needs.....