Me, myself and I

Osgoodisgood

Of the very many commonly accepted (BUT STILL INCORRECT!!!!!!!!) uses and abuses of the English language, the one that burns me the most is the inability of most of the Irish population to decide when to use "me", "myself" or "I". The default seems to be "myself" at every opportunity, even as the first of a duo of pronouns. "Myself and Rasher went knacker drinking", that sort of thing. Is this what schools are teaching? Is anyone else irritated by this or is it just, you know, "myself"?

Permabear

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I have to admit that I would often use "me" in the wrong context when speaking, as in "Paul and me went to the shop". I know it's wrong but it is accepted. I would always write it down correctly though.

I once explained to my boss why "Paul and I" was incorrect in a letter she had drafted, she was surprised! She went to boarding school.

Osgoodisgood

Deleted User wrote: »

I once explained to my boss why "Paul and I" was incorrect in a letter she had drafted, she was surprised! She went to boarding school.

I bet she was surprised but if you ask me going to boarding school was a bit of an overreaction.

Osgoodisgood

Osgoodisgood wrote: »

I bet she was surprised but if you ask me going to boarding school was a bit of an overreaction.

LOL

Latchy

Thread Title was crying out for this

The Raven.

Osgoodisgood wrote: »

Of the very many commonly accepted (BUT STILL INCORRECT!!!!!!!!) uses and abuses of the English language, the one that burns me the most is the inability of most of the Irish population to decide when to use "me", "myself" or "I". The default seems to be "myself" at every opportunity, even as the first of a duo of pronouns. "Myself and Rasher went knacker drinking", that sort of thing. Is this what schools are teaching? Is anyone else irritated by this or is it just, you know, "myself"?

OP, you are not alone on this one. I often meant to start a thread on it, but couldn't find the time. I have to say that I find the misuse of 'me', 'myself' or 'I' extremely irritating.

donegalfella wrote: »

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This indeed is very common, and has been so for as long as I can remember. What is even more peculiar is the fact that while the written version is usually 'Myself and Joan went shopping', more often than not, it is pronounced 'Meself and Joan...’ The same goes for 'me hat' and 'me coat' instead of 'my hat' and 'my coat' etc.

I think people see using "I" in such contexts as overly formal or pretentious. Thus, when trying deliberately to be formal, they switch to using "I" all the time, even when it's incorrect -- as in "Gail has invited Sheila and I to her wedding."

This is the one that annoys me the most. It has been rapidly gaining currency over the last decade or so. It appears to stem from an over-correction of phrases like 'Me and Mary are best friends', influenced by phrases like 'My husband and I think so too'.

I really wish that people who say things like 'Gail has invited Sheila and I to her wedding' would give more thought to what they are actually saying. It could be pointed out to them that they wouldn't say that 'Gail has invited I to her wedding'.

Osgoodisgood

The Raven. wrote: »

This indeed is very common, and has been so for as long as I can remember. What is even more peculiar is the fact that while the written version is usually 'Myself and Joan went shopping', more often than not, it is pronounced 'Meself and Joan...’ The same goes for 'me hat' and 'me coat' instead of 'my hat' and 'my coat' etc.

I feel your pain. The following conversation took place last night with a pal.

Me "So, were you able to book at tee time for us tomorrow?"
Pal "Yes, hitting off at 11.40"
Me "Excellent, who are we playing with?"
Pal "Just meself and yaself"

Give me strength!