Originally Posted by
can123
The English language evolves and, regrettably, it is the semi-literate whose actions cause it to change most. The word "got" and its even worse American cousin "gotten" have been inflicted on the language. A few years ago the word "ask" was just a verb. Now it is used routinely by TV commentators as a noun. I think the first time I ever heard was when it was used as such by an English rugby player, Stuart Barnes, I think. I can remember thinking how uneducated it seemed.
I worked at one school in Pattaya where a consultant routinely used the word "cool". People who use these types of words usually lack a formal education. Certainly, they have to communicate with very limited vocabulary. This doesn't really worry me. As soon as I hear people using "cool" etc. I switch off. Being unable to speak proper English it is highly unlikely that they would have any meaningful information to impart and I simply ignore them. I'm not rude, I nod appreciatively, smile, try to make them feel good and move on. I avoid them if possible from then on.
I am not a grammar snob. Anybody can make the occasional error but, I believe, that people who use American slang are beneath me. I don't want anything to do with them. Anybody who wears a baseball cap when he is not playing baseball is a fool. Those who wear such a thing back to front should be gassed.