Some may view my information that presents proper English as a sign that I am a Grammar Nazi, yet I have no intentions to criticize anyone for unknown mistakes. I merely intend to present you with my findings so that you may join my efforts to improve the English language; also, given that I am an American patriot and not a German dictator of the 1940s, I prefer to think of myself as a Grammar Ally or a Grammar Patriot.
There are many times in life when I encounter nonexistent or nonstandard words. During my research of this topic, I found many people that have already discussed this growing issue, however, they frequently transmit an air of haughtiness. I intend to present and inform, not shame and condemn.
After researching these nonstandard words, I was humbled to discover that I have used some of these words before. The word in this list that most frequently finds its way into my vocabulary is snuck, I had heard of sneaked but never realized that it was the correct form of the word. I am also guilty of uttering nonsensical words in conversations as a result of a minor verbal malfunction, such as the times when I have accidentally stumbled on and combined the words across and upon, used acron in my sentence, only to correct myself with uposs; to my humiliation, this has occurred more than once.
To save you from the embarrassment of emitting fictional words before someone who may condemn your choice of words, I have compiled a list containing several words that have the potential to mortifyingly destroy your dignity; refraining from these words may enrich your vocabulary while increasing your reputability, however, if you stumble on other words, the only thing you can do is hope that your audience did not recognize your mistake, unless, of course, you begin speaking too quickly for their minds to register any information, including the mistakes.
The following is a slightly more humble list of a few common, nonstandard words.
Irregardless
Attaching the prefix ir- to the word regardless is redundant; regardless is sufficient, it is composed of the base word -regard- and the suffix -less, therefore regardless means without regard. The word irregardless, ir- (not) -regard- -less (without), means not without regard, or without without regard, in other words, with regard; the double negative has an effect opposite to that which is intended.
The Colonists fought for independence regardless of the opposition.
Snuck
Snuck is recognized in some dictionaries, though informal; the most correct past tense form of the word sneak is sneaked.
In past centuries, stowaways often sneaked aboard ships.
Brung/Brang
Like snuck, brung appears in some dictionaries despite being nonstandard. If you wish to use bring in the past tense form, it is advisable to use brought.
Columbus brought gold, birds, and plants from the New World to Spain to display the riches of the land.
Ginormous
This nonstandard and informal word appears to be a combination of giant and enormous. If you intend to speak in formal English, consider replacing this word with a formal one, such as immense, vast, or tremendous.
The extensive size of the United States vastly dwarfs European countries.
Humongous
This is yet another nonstandard, combination word expressing great size of scale. It seems to be a blend of huge and enormous. If you ever struggle to find a more creative word for huge, search for enormous in any thesaurus.
The population of the United States is enormous; nearly 330 million people.
Ain’t
This is yet another nonstandard, combination word expressing great size of scale. It seems to be a blend of huge and enormous. If you ever struggle to find a more creative word for huge, search for enormous in any thesaurus.
Washington D.C. is not a state.
Unthaw/Dethaw
Unthaw is nonstandard because of the existence of the words freeze and thaw, appending the prefix un- to the word thaw, un- (not) -thaw-, produces the meaning not thaw, the opposite of thaw, which would be freeze. The word thaw means to raise the temperature above the freezing point, in the case of water, this would bring it from a solid to a liquid.
In the winter of 1776, Washington lead his army to victory in the battle of Trenton while the unsuspecting Hessians waited for the land to thaw.
Have you encountered any other commonly used, nonstandard words?
Onward American 