Why don't republicans know that "Irregardless" *is* a word?

Question

Main Entry: ir·re·gard·less
Pronunciation: "ir-i-'gärd-l&s
Function: adverb
Etymology: probably blend of irrespective and regardless
nonstandard : REGARDLESS
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.

1927, the country were in the grip of Prohibitionist Republicans, leading us over the cliff to the great Depression. In their reign of terror, they also attempted to slander and criticize irregardless. Monsters!

Answer 1

OK - so?

Answer 2

Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1) - Cite This Source
ir‧re‧gard‧less  /ˌɪrɪˈgɑrdlɪs/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation[ir-i-gahrd-lis] Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–adverb Nonstandard.
regardless.
[Origin: 1910–15; ir-2 (prob. after irrespective) + regardless]

—Usage note Irregardless is considered nonstandard because of the two negative elements ir- and -less. It was probably formed on the analogy of such words as irrespective, irrelevant, and irreparable. Those who use it, including on occasion educated speakers, may do so from a desire to add emphasis. Irregardless first appeared in the early 20th century and was perhaps popularized by its use in a comic radio program of the 1930s.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.0.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.

See the word "nonstandard" in there? Irregardless is like using ain't - both technically words, but NONSTANDARD.

And WTF does that have to do with political affiliation?!?

Answer 3

It says it right there in the etymology of the word.

If you break it down, it's simply horrible. Does "irrespective" mean the same thing as "respective"? No.

Does "irrelevant" mean the same thing as "relevant"? No.

Does "irrational" mean the same thing as "rational"? No.

Does "Irreverent" mean the same thing as "reverent"? No.

So why does "irregardless" mean "regardless?" Ignorance. I don't care if there's a precedent for it or not. Grammatically, it's awful.

If I combine the words "uninterested" and "fascinated" can I use the word "unfascinated" as a synonym for "interested"? I guess if enough people repeat it -- or, god forbid, it ends up in some dictionary -- I can.

Answer 4

It is redundant. Trite. Over-used. And a non-word.

And no matter how many liberals get the PC Wikipedia to put it in their "bible," it still will not be a word.

It's not a Republican issue for me. I'll admit to anality with THAT non-word. It drives me insane, because educated people DO insist on using it.

Answer 5

Yes, I saw all the crap you got over that. I went to dictionary.com and found it. It's a nonstandard word, sort of only semi-recognized.

So you aren't an college graduate in English Literature. Oh well.

Answer 6

Are you sure, beyond a shadow of a doubt that it was Republicans or someone pretending to be a Republican that didn't know that "irregardless" *is* a word!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Answer 7

Whew, hold on....

Ok, I almost choked on my twinkie with that assinine question.


And yes, I KNOW assinine is really spelled asinine!

Answer 8

Not in Websters, not a word!!

Answer 9

Redundant trite, she said. I suppose she overlooked all of he repeated postings of hateful questions by neocons. But she did catch that minutia about irregardless.

Answer 10

Not many friends, huh.

Answer 11

what does that mean?