I get over 2 million results in Google when I search for irregardless. Among the results are credible sources like Merriam-Webster, which gives the 85-year-old misfit an honorary place as the nonstandard version of regardless, with the gentle advice:
Its reputation has not risen over the years, and it is still a long way from general acceptance. Use regardless instead.
Like most other writers and editors, I believed it to be a non-word, and regarded it with self-righteous hostility for years–but somehow, I’ve never come within close enough range to cut it down with my red pen.
I haven’t read the word irregardless in anything other than an editorial rant in… well, ever.
Have you?
Sure, you must have heard it from the hayseed aspiring to a more cultured “either way”–the poor sap–but read it? I think most of us are taking M-W’s advice whether we’re aware of the linguistic subtleties or not.
But seriously. It’s like the old question: How many people do you know with the “too-common” name George? Am I reading and editing the wrong material? Am I missing out on some of the best fodder for my bulletin board for dumb writer mistakes (you know, the one I’ve been seriously, seriously thinking I should make)?
Or is it that we just like swiping at the low-hanging fruit in our language? For editors, the word “curmudgeon” is a compliment. Writers are much more masochistic, but enjoy showing off their smarts, too. Irregardless gives everyone the opportunity to slap hands on buzzers, point and yell, and be the first to cry foul.
It’s not the only one of its kind, either.
So how about it? If I’ve been living under a rock surrounded by only the most choicy prose, let me know.
How often do you read the word irregardless in unpublished work or self-published work like blogs and such (where the chances of its having been edited out are slim)? Why do you think we still break pencils in our rush to decry these kinds of commonly cited but not-so-commonly seen errors?
Photo credit: Candie_N, courtesy Flickr, CC 2.0.
I have *never* seen it in writing. I’m now tempted to search for it, but it would be like me volunteering to sit next to someone scratching his or her fingernails down a chalkboard.
Amazingly enough, I hear it less living here in N. Carolina than I did in Florida. That has to be among my *most* hated words.
Glad to know I’m not the only one wondering where the fire is, Danielle.
Irregardless of the fact that it is barely used, and that spell check just slammed me for even typing the word, it seems that many words of our language – and that is the language of writing – are much maligned. I think that if a writer chooses to use a word that has been labeled a “misfit” by those much vaunted in academia then they should be lauded for their efforts to help uplift these egregiously offended poor cousins to other words. Would it not be applauded if a Moorlock befriended an Eloi? Would it not be sung praises of in many circles where the millionaire shook hands with the janitor? Do we not owe it to these dust covered “misfits” to help raise them up and thus improve their lot in the literary word?
Hey, just asking.
Thanks for another insightful, and probably not thought of by most, article to give us food for pondering.
Charles B Reynolds recently posted..Not interested in the SOTU speech??
Thanks for asking, Charles. Questions I think too many hesitate to answer.
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..Business Jargon Destroys Lives
The English language has a rich vocabulary. Meriam-Webster’s Dictionary defines irregardless as nonstandard. Being nonstandard the dictionary defines it as “not conforming in pronunciation, grammatical construction, idiom, or choice of word to the usage generally characteristic of educated native speakers of the language.”
First time, I read irregardless is only now. Thanks for the knowledge I gain Shakirah.
You’re welcome, Fidel!
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..Business Jargon Destroys Lives
Forget about last time, this is probably the first time I’ve read this. It is not very often, rather never used in writing.
I’ll go searching for “Irregardless” everywhere.
-Jullian
Jullian Foster recently posted..How To Attract Women
It’ll be like “The Hunting Of The Snark!”
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..Business Jargon Destroys Lives
The word contradicts itself, of course, and should not be used, yet many people begin using good words like “irresponsible,” and they just keep right on going.
Eileen recently posted..PPI
True it may be commonly heard–and for those reasons–but is it commonly read?
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..Business Jargon Destroys Lives
The word contradicts itself, of course, and should not be used, yet many people begin using good words like “irresponsible,” and they just keep right on going.
Aline recently posted..Nettle Eater
It does contradict itself, and the reason you cite could be just the reason it’s become more popular–at least in spoken English.
Shakirah Dawud recently posted..Why Is “Z” Always For Zebra?
For me, irregardless is an informal word ans should not be used for writing. Gladly, I have never encounter the word from writing.
Marquita09 recently posted..Enhance Private Communication With Customers With SSL Certificates
Ouch, I’ve seen and it bothers me as much as the misuse of the words lose and loose, but I’m a stickler for correct grammar…when I can catch it.
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Brigitte recently posted..Valentine’s Day — Romance, Mystery and Mayhem!
English is a funny language. “Irregardless” is almost never used in writing or speaking. I don’t remember hearing or reading this word ever, but will try & see if people use it.
Thanks.
-Andrew
Andrew Cole recently posted..how to seduce a woman
my tough it’s hard to speak English word..well thanks for shearing this article it’s really nice … great job for you…
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