Originally posted by The_Equalizer
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But I discovered nothing else but depraved, excessive superstition. Pliny the younger -
Originally posted by The_Equalizer View PostRepeating yourself doesn't mean you're correct.Comment
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Originally posted by Gibbon View PostExcept it is consistent with other English loan words such as alcohol where al is the definitive article. We don't say the the cohol do we?
"Usage
Hoi is the Greek word for the, and the phrase hoi polloi means ‘the many.’ This has led some traditionalists to insist that hoi polloi should not be used in English with the, since that would be to state the word the twice. But, once established in English, expressions such as hoi polloi are typically treated as fixed units and are subject to the rules and conventions of English. Evidence shows that use with the has now become an accepted part of standard English usage: they kept to themselves, away from the hoi polloi (rather than away from hoi polloi). Hoi polloi is sometimes used incorrectly to mean ‘upper class’—that is, the exact opposite of its normal meaning. It seems likely that the confusion arose by association with the similar-sounding but otherwise unrelated word hoity-toity"
hoi polloi - Oxford DictionaryComment
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Originally posted by The_Equalizer View PostBut I discovered nothing else but depraved, excessive superstition. Pliny the youngerComment
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Originally posted by The_Equalizer View PostI must be a traditionalist:
"Usage
Hoi is the Greek word for the, and the phrase hoi polloi means ‘the many.’ This has led some traditionalists to insist that hoi polloi should not be used in English with the, since that would be to state the word the twice. But, once established in English, expressions such as hoi polloi are typically treated as fixed units and are subject to the rules and conventions of English. Evidence shows that use with the has now become an accepted part of standard English usage: they kept to themselves, away from the hoi polloi (rather than away from hoi polloi). Hoi polloi is sometimes used incorrectly to mean ‘upper class’—that is, the exact opposite of its normal meaning. It seems likely that the confusion arose by association with the similar-sounding but otherwise unrelated word hoity-toity"
hoi polloi - Oxford Dictionary
I'm not saying that it is wrong to omit 'the' if you choose, but there is no basis for correcting use of 'the'. Prescriptive grammar has no standing above other descriptive grammar.
Presumably, you would insist on removing the word 'the' from the sentence: 'I brought the alcohol to the last picnic, so this time it is your turn.'Comment
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Originally posted by northernladyuk View PostIt is more precise to define your view as prescriptive grammar than traditionalist. As a Latin graduate, I don't much care for prescriptive grammar, as it attempts to apply rules from highly structured languages such as Latin into English, which is much more flexible. Other annoying prescriptive grammar rules include the forbidding of split infinitives and prepositions at the end of sentences. That is the kind of English up with which I will not put.
I'm not saying that it is wrong to omit 'the' if you choose, but there is no basis for correcting use of 'the'. Prescriptive grammar has no standing above other descriptive grammar.
Presumably, you would insist on removing the word 'the' from the sentence: 'I brought the alcohol to the last picnic, so this time it is your turn.'Comment
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Originally posted by Gibbon View PostFeck me, an article talking about archaic usage of the definitive article can't get theirs right. Hoi is a Greek word for the, there being 24 variations of it depending on gender and declension.Comment
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Originally posted by The_Equalizer View PostIf only you'd stated that in your first reply.Comment
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Originally posted by northernladyuk View PostAnd number, you cretin.But I discovered nothing else but depraved, excessive superstition. Pliny the youngerComment
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