Quirky English

I agree with gerry baughman about "each and every." We edit out "and every" in letters to the editor.

Another is "I'd like to thank ..."
If you'd like to, then go ahead and do it.

Then there's: "I'd like to take this opportunity ..." This is common in radio commercials. "Those of us at Cheap Autos would like to take this opportunity to congratulate the class of 2008." You paid for the spot, so it's hardly taking the opportunity. Taking the opportunity is when you're there for a different purpose. "Before I begin this toast to the bride I'd like to take this opportunity to remind you that I've got Amway products for sale in my trunk."

Some parents, teachers, coaches and even sergeants will give an order, followed with "OK?"
So you mean I have choice whether to do those push-ups? I choose — uh — not.

From my son's English teacher:
"English is a crazy language. There is no egg in eggplant, no ham in hamburger, neither apple nor pine in pineapple. ... Quicksand works slowly, boxing rings are square and Guinea pig is not from Guinea, nor is it a pig. ... If you have a bunch of odds and ends and get rid of all but one of them, what do you call it?"

Are you better off with a fat chance than a slim chance? Do you ever have to tell your kids to sit up when they sit down? If they mess up their rooms they have to clean up their rooms. Why don't they ever mess down or clean down their rooms?

Can you think of any other examples of the quirky nature of our language?