Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News Editorials & Other Articles General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

DFW

(59,584 posts)
55. Don't forget--there is another political party in the USA with their own language, grammar and set of rules
Thu Aug 14, 2025, 08:05 AM
Aug 2025

As a brief assist in spotting Republicans who post, I offer a condensed selection of the rules for writing Republicanese:

EXCERPTS FROM THE OFFICIAL DICTIONARY OF REPUBLICANESE

In Republicanese, many words that sound alike may be spelled differently at random. A few prominent examples:

In Republicanese, the following words may be spelled at random using any of the three ways given:

A.) Two, Too, To
B.) Their, They're, There
c.) Your, Yore, You're

The Republicanese version of Robin Hood therefore starts with "In days of you're...."

The only rule is that the correct use of them as in English is never permitted twice in a row.

Words with single letters that change meaning when that letter is doubled must never be used in correct English context. The classic example is “lose” vs. “loose.” In Republicanese, if you do not win an election, then you “loose” that election. Conversely, if your (Republicanese: you’re) belt is too tight, you need it more “lose” in order to be comfortable. Another example would be the Republicanese, “I met Donald Trump, and he was rudder than I imagined,” vs. “I grabbed the ruder and was able to steer the boat to shore.”

In English, the contraction for "it is" is written "it's." To show possession referring to something previously mentioned, one writes "its." In Republicanese, it is the other way around. Example:
English: “It's impractical for a building to have its solar panels in the basement.”
Republicanese: “Its impractical for a building to have it's solar panels in the basement.”


In Republicanese, idiomatic expressions that use words that are homonyms with animals in English must use the spelling that denotes the animal.
Three examples:
In English, when someone wins a race by a very small margin, one can say, “He won the race by a hair.” In Republicanese, one writes, “He won the race by a hare.”
In English, someone fleeing the law can be said to be on “on the lam.” In Republicanese, that is spelled “on the lamb.”
In English, when one starts to lose their voice after shouting for an extended time, one says, “he shouted himself hoarse.” In Republicanese, one writes, “He shouted himself horse.”


In Republicanese, an apostrophe is used to form a plural, whereas this is never correct in English. But it must be done at random, never systematically. For example, Bill and Hillary are "the Clinton's," but Bill, Chelsea and Hillary are "the Clintons." The other way around is also correct. In Republicanese, either form is correct as long as it is not spelled the same way twice in a row.
Example:
In English, one writes "The Clintons like dogs."
In Republicanese, this can be written as "The Clinton's like dogs," or "The Clintons like dog's" or "The Clinton's like dog's." The only version that would be incorrect in Republicanese would be to use no apostrophe at all. Only English is written that way.

In Republicanese, pronouns that are direct or indirect objects must never be used as in English when combined with another proper name, proper noun, or pronoun.
Example: in English, one says, e.g., “John went to dinner with me,” and not “John went to dinner with I.” Therefore, in English, one also says, “John went to dinner with my wife and me.” In Republicanese, while it is also correct to say, “John went to dinner with me,” it is only correct to say “John went to dinner with my wife and I.”

Recommendations

2 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

How do you know? bucolic_frolic Aug 2025 #1
Is a retired newspaper editor 'expert' enough for you? Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #5
Yes, that is correct. CTyankee Aug 2025 #11
Dropping "from" drmeow Aug 2025 #2
Ever heard anything about 'slang' and its usage in the American English language? The point either way, correct or not, SWBTATTReg Aug 2025 #3
'They graduated high school' isn't slang Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #21
Or: DFW Aug 2025 #47
Excellent example Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #60
Here, folks... CTyankee Aug 2025 #4
The language becomes sterile and rigid if you can't say it the way it's understood bucolic_frolic Aug 2025 #7
Not if they don't make sense. Saying "I graduated high school" doesn't make sense. CTyankee Aug 2025 #12
I fully understand what someone means when they say they graduated college or high school LearnedHand Aug 2025 #27
Yeah, the meaning is oberle Aug 2025 #32
Language changes all the time and is culturally influenced LearnedHand Aug 2025 #39
'Language evolves' primarily in two ways Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #66
Not at all. What gave you that idea? CTyankee Aug 2025 #45
I understand too, but the first question I want to ask them is, "Did you pass English?" CrispyQ Aug 2025 #105
I graduated college sounds to me like I passed gas WheelWalker Aug 2025 #35
DUzy! CrispyQ Aug 2025 #106
'Sunnies' is slang, just as our 'shades' is slang Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #22
My Pyrex measuring cup is graduated. Harker Aug 2025 #6
Indeed it is. It has markings on it that tell you the measurement of what you are putting into a dish you are making. CTyankee Aug 2025 #14
And it still doesn't have a degree. 58Sunliner Aug 2025 #91
True, but my thermometer does. Harker Aug 2025 #92
IMO, it's a sign of the times .... anciano Aug 2025 #8
The simpler we explain things, the easier it is to brainwash us. GreenWave Aug 2025 #9
... Harker Aug 2025 #10
That doesn't bother me, but when I hear hamsterjill Aug 2025 #13
Not necessarily... Harker Aug 2025 #15
Are you in red-neck, rabid ass Trump Texas? hamsterjill Aug 2025 #17
No, we're in upstate New York, and she gets along beautifully. Harker Aug 2025 #18
I'm glad you are in a good situation. hamsterjill Aug 2025 #19
And to you! Harker Aug 2025 #20
'I seen' is a sign of a lack of education Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #24
How about "jury" hamsterjill Aug 2025 #30
Or "joolery." 3catwoman3 Aug 2025 #82
You think like I do!!!! hamsterjill Aug 2025 #85
I went to college in West Philadelphia. DFW Aug 2025 #48
Is it 'eubonics' or 'ebonics'? Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #59
My granddaughter always spoke good English womanofthehills Aug 2025 #34
I came across a paperback edition of Strunk and White ... surrealAmerican Aug 2025 #16
Its a freakin' internet forum, not a postgraduate thesis. nt BootinUp Aug 2025 #23
Ah, that old excuse Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #25
Hold it. What have I been doing here for 23 years ? underpants Aug 2025 #26
Your comment reminds me of my all-time favorite protest sign LearnedHand Aug 2025 #28
I learned how to communicate in English long before grad school. CTyankee Aug 2025 #36
Congratulations! BootinUp Aug 2025 #38
thank you! CTyankee Aug 2025 #75
If you can't speak in the original Indo-European dialect then you are uneducated. erronis Aug 2025 #29
'Snobbery' Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #31
"graduate high school" doesn't even make sense. And we are here to make sense. Or at least I thought we were. CTyankee Aug 2025 #37
What is snobbish about making English clear when you speak or write it? CTyankee Aug 2025 #40
When I was a newspaper copy editor Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #41
Yeah, I'm kinda sorry I even mentioned it. CTyankee Aug 2025 #42
Doesn't bother me so much Orrex Aug 2025 #33
I've always been fascinated by Du's reaction to some people Phentex Aug 2025 #63
I believe I know exactly the stream-of-consciousness poster you're describing Orrex Aug 2025 #72
Well the grammar improved Phentex Aug 2025 #89
Most people aren't grammarians LogDog75 Aug 2025 #43
Plenty of people agree with my phrasing. It is not obsolete. CTyankee Aug 2025 #44
''we talk as we think, not think precisely, edit it in our minds, and then talk'' Donkees Aug 2025 #46
I think it's just lazy. 58Sunliner Aug 2025 #49
This is how languages evolve, I guess. But I am fascinated by how it comes apart and you have a good point. CTyankee Aug 2025 #51
Then you are wrong. I am one of those posters who read lips, and went to a school pathologist. I have a BS from Penn debm55 Aug 2025 #88
I understand, but I think you are a minority in this case.JMO. 58Sunliner Aug 2025 #90
Good idea. And while we're at it, let's start going to the prom again... malthaussen Aug 2025 #50
don't even get me started... ret5hd Aug 2025 #52
Never heard that one. Uh-oh... CTyankee Aug 2025 #53
'I'm in hospital' is wrong, but Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #99
This message was self-deleted by its author sl8 Aug 2025 #54
Don't forget--there is another political party in the USA with their own language, grammar and set of rules DFW Aug 2025 #55
People are turming the English language on its head RazorbackExpat Aug 2025 #56
Ya see! It's that old slippery slope thing! I toldja so.... CTyankee Aug 2025 #57
Huh? RazorbackExpat Aug 2025 #58
One thing goes, then another and so on. CTyankee Aug 2025 #62
Things are really weird these days RazorbackExpat Aug 2025 #113
When did we drop "to be?" rsdsharp Aug 2025 #61
Or "not 'to be'" Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #64
It was common for me to hear that during the couple years I lived in western Pennsylvania. Harker Aug 2025 #65
I agree with you. OR you could say "needs to be changed" or in some cases "needs changing." CTyankee Aug 2025 #68
Me too. I think that's a mid west thing though. beaglelover Aug 2025 #95
It is. debm55 Aug 2025 #96
Or "to be graduated from" ? Iggo Aug 2025 #98
Remember your audience LogDog75 Aug 2025 #67
Agree debm55 Aug 2025 #69
"Think different" Mosby Aug 2025 #70
Yeah, those are pretty bad. "Think different" is downright stupid. CTyankee Aug 2025 #71
Sounds good. I'm in. Iggo Aug 2025 #73
Thanks, Iggo! CTyankee Aug 2025 #74
My Grammar didn't go to high school underpants Aug 2025 #76
I don't know what you were trying to say in your post, but I wish you well. CTyankee Aug 2025 #77
Just trying to be jocular underpants Aug 2025 #78
Well, that you are! CTyankee Aug 2025 #79
Lemme check. underpants Aug 2025 #80
Be of good cheer, Sir. CTyankee Aug 2025 #81
You are correct DaBronx Aug 2025 #83
Thank you, DaBronx! CTyankee Aug 2025 #84
There is an odd (to me) speech habit in the greater Chicago area... 3catwoman3 Aug 2025 #86
I've heard that but didn't know it was a Chicago thing. It's odd... CTyankee Aug 2025 #87
It's an everywhere thing Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #100
Interesting. I've lived in NY, TX, CO, MI and IL... 3catwoman3 Aug 2025 #110
You are far too polite to be an effective grammar nazi... Wounded Bear Aug 2025 #93
Evidently, I have annoyed some folks here on DU. CTyankee Aug 2025 #94
. What I do have problems with is some posters calling others, lazy, stupid, debm55 Aug 2025 #97
Meh Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #102
But O.R. .... (and CTYankee) some_of_us_are_sane Aug 2025 #108
That reminds ne of a guy who was here Oeditpus Rex Aug 2025 #112
Meh some_of_us_are_sane Aug 2025 #114
Things like "graduate high school" is indeed the slippery slope you describe, CTyankee. Scrivener7 Aug 2025 #101
That "guys's" (guyses? - not even sure how to spell this abomination) thing makes me cringe... 3catwoman3 Aug 2025 #111
I gadeated from trump univercity so you ainte got to wory about my gramer or speling. nt ImNotGod Aug 2025 #103
From what I have seen markodochartaigh Aug 2025 #104
The floggings will continue until your grammar improves. nt doc03 Aug 2025 #107
ROFLMAO!!!!! some_of_us_are_sane Aug 2025 #109
Latest Discussions»The DU Lounge»Please folks, let's use o...»Reply #55