Please state in which country your phrase tends to be used, what the phrase is, and what it should be.

Example:

In America, recently came across “back-petal”, instead of back-pedal. Also, still hearing “for all intensive purposes” instead of “for all intents and purposes”.

  • Tahl_eN@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    21
    arrow-down
    1
    ·
    7 days ago

    “You can’t have your cake and eat it” The older form was flipped: “you can’t eat your cake and have it” They both can mean about the same, but the older form makes it much clearer - if you’ve eaten your cake, you no longer have it. But you could have your cake, then eat it.

    • MonkeMischief@lemmy.today
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      7 days ago

      Reminds me of that story where a fellow on the lake was chilly and tried to start a small fire in the boat, but it just burned a hole through it and he had to swim to shore.

      Just goes to show you…

      “You can’t have your kayak and heat it, too.”

    • blackbrook@mander.xyz
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      6
      ·
      7 days ago

      Thank you! I’ve always heard the former and never felt it quite made sense. Now I understand why.