Sometimes, in my crazier moments, I get this feeling that people talk the way they do just to piss me off.

Just imagine, at one time in my life, I actually believed that “on” was the opposite of “off.”  Now it seems the two words, in oft-used constructions, have the same meaning.

Here’s what I’m talking about:  “The success of our team is based off of a strong defense.”

Or:  “I’m convinced we can improve off our production techniques.”

Or:  “The popularity of this process is built off of strong design.”

And finally, my current favorite:  “They thrive off being challenged.”

I read, on some blogs, that certain commentors see these uses as “idioms.”  If “idiom” means “used by some, but still wrong,” then fine.  I don’t think it does.

If my consternation at these uses makes me a strict constructionist or – shudder — a prescriptivist, then I accept the label(s) with gusto.

OK.  There was a spot today for some marketing strategy that some guy was hawking.  (Low-hanging fruit — I know.)

It went like this:  “This program works for new customers as well as for existing customers you already have today.”

“existing customers”

“you already have”

“today”

Honest.  I couldn’t make this stuff up.  I’ve heard of “artistic license.”  I guess now we have “advertising license.”

Hey, don’t you have to pass a test to get a license to drive a car?

Today, on “Morning Edition,” an NPR reporter opened a story with, “Japan and China normalized ties forty years ago.  And, in terms of economic relations, are literally joined at the hip.”

The words she used compelled visuals in me — body parts and maps.  I just couldn’t make it work.

I don’t know – shouldn’t we expect more of NPR?

“Instinctual” vs. “instinctive.”

Today, I heard someone on the radio use the word “instinctual.”  It’s another trendy word – we  hear it used more and more.  (See, also, “instinctually.”)

I looked it up.  “Instinctual,” alas, appears to be a legitimate word.  Several dictionaries suggest that “instinctual” and “instinctive” have the same meaning.  Others suggest subtle differences.  Frankly, it’s difficult to understand the distinctualization these sources are trying to present.

To me, “instinctual” just sounds more learned – read “haughty.”  Or, read “cool.”

Hence, I intuitually think one should use “instinctive.”  However, I’m totally down with one using “instinctual” if that one actually understands the difference.

Yet, perhaps the test should be this:  Does this person, who claims to understand the distinction, actually have both words in his personal vocabulary?