It's just one of those small things that some people find annoying; if we're trying to express our thoughts precisely, we ought to spell the words right.
PRINCIPLE is a noun, meaning a basic truth, law, or assumption: the principles of democracy.
PRINCIPAL is an adjective, meaning most important, consequential, or influential: the principal ingredient in the recipe.
PRINCIPAL is only used as a noun when you're talking about the original amount of a debt or your teacher's boss. I find it grating when I see intelligent people who should know better talking about the "principals of Christianity." "Seize" for "cease" and "convenant" for "covenant" are grating too, but if the writing is otherwise semiliterate, one expects that sort of thing. I've seen this error repeated over and over again by some of our most astute members, and it's beneath them.
Further bulletins as my obsessions warrant.
A small tip from the Spelling Nazi
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- Enculasse Deskeubs
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Post #3
Considering that not everyone speaks English as a native language, and the state of the American public education system, I'm happy if I can tell what a person is tryig to say. I can see being miffed if one purchases a book and the spelling is atrocious, but on a message forum? It's casual.
Post #4
Oh, please. If I were "compensating" (for what, one wonders? Veiled attack by innuendo might be called "compensating," too), I would hardly have called myself "the Spelling Nazi." REAL Nazis rarely engage in self-deprecating humor. Lighten up, dude.Miles wrote:I've found that Nazis of all stripes; spelling Nazis, syntax Nazis, punctuation Nazis, etc. are compensating, and are best not fed either by acknowledgment or acquiescence.
Who says I was "miffed"? I thought that some of those who do this -- who ARE native speakers of English -- might like to know that their usage was incorrect and avoid even the appearance of ignorance. I would be grateful if others did the same for me, if I ever made such groce missteaks.Enculasse Deskeubs wrote:Considering that not everyone speaks English as a native language, and the state of the American public education system, I'm happy if I can tell what a person is tryig to say. I can see being miffed if one purchases a book and the spelling is atrocious, but on a message forum? It's casual.
If you think concern with correct spelling ought to be abolished because it doesn't matter, and that we should all just lie down and accept the inadequacy of the public education system and go with the flow, fine; I disagree. In my opinion, the English language is bleeding to death quite quickly enough without explicit disregard for correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc., in the popular media.
One doesn't want to end up like the Scotsman who walked into the wrong public restroom because he thought the sign said "Laddies." Spelling matters, in my humble opinion. A little good-natured attention to it isn't out of place anywhere except perhaps bathroom walls.
Post #5
Those (like me) that are not native English speakers might embrace the opportunity to improve their domain of the language. I feel like my English has improved a lot since I joined this site, and just like I did in my introduction post, I invite all "spalling nazis" out there to feel free to correct my mistakes. I'm still learning, as I will always be.Enculasse Deskeubs wrote:Considering that not everyone speaks English as a native language, and the state of the American public education system, I'm happy if I can tell what a person is tryig to say. I can see being miffed if one purchases a book and the spelling is atrocious, but on a message forum? It's casual.
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- Enculasse Deskeubs
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Post #6
Umm...I dunno. I didn't.Who says I was "miffed"?
No, if I thought that, I would have said that. I just said that I was happy. If I had to proofread my grammar just to please you, I might not be quite so happy, but your opinion of my grammar isn't really a concern for me, so, I'm happy. You should be happy that I'm talking to you.If you think concern with correct spelling ought to be abolished because it doesn't matter, and that we should all just lie down and accept the inadequacy of the public education system and go with the flow, fine; I disagree.

Post #7
Oh, I am! I am!Enculasse Deskeubs wrote:Umm...I dunno. I didn't.Who says I was "miffed"?
No, if I thought that, I would have said that. I just said that I was happy. If I had to proofread my grammar just to please you, I might not be quite so happy, but your opinion of my grammar isn't really a concern for me, so, I'm happy. You should be happy that I'm talking to you.If you think concern with correct spelling ought to be abolished because it doesn't matter, and that we should all just lie down and accept the inadequacy of the public education system and go with the flow, fine; I disagree.
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Post #8
Nah. The "Spelling Nazi" is just there to give the appearance of flippancy. The tone of your post gives you away.cnorman18 wrote:Oh, please. If I were "compensating" (for what, one wonders? Veiled attack by innuendo might be called "compensating," too), I would hardly have called myself "the Spelling Nazi." REAL Nazis rarely engage in self-deprecating humor. Lighten up, dude.Miles wrote:I've found that Nazis of all stripes; spelling Nazis, syntax Nazis, punctuation Nazis, etc. are compensating, and are best not fed either by acknowledgment or acquiescence.

- Enculasse Deskeubs
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Post #10
Ah. Yes, I see what you mean. How foolish of me to hope that my arrogance, conceit and contemptuous disdain for everyone would be concealed by such a transparent ruse.Miles wrote:Nah. The "Spelling Nazi" is just there to give the appearance of flippancy. The tone of your post gives you away.cnorman18 wrote:Oh, please. If I were "compensating" (for what, one wonders? Veiled attack by innuendo might be called "compensating," too), I would hardly have called myself "the Spelling Nazi." REAL Nazis rarely engage in self-deprecating humor. Lighten up, dude.Miles wrote:I've found that Nazis of all stripes; spelling Nazis, syntax Nazis, punctuation Nazis, etc. are compensating, and are best not fed either by acknowledgment or acquiescence.
My apologies to everyone. Spell as you like.