Alright, I suppose it is just the writer in me, but it drives me crazy to hear people use words that simply are not words! My chosen gripe for the day is the word, or the lack of a real word, that is irregardless. I know a person that chooses to use this “word” in practically every sentence that gushes from their continually moving mouth. In fact, I hear it repeated so much from them, that it reminds me of the over use of the word, “inconceivable”  by Vizzini, in the movie the Princess Bride”.  With one difference of course, at least inconceivable is a real word. Because of this I am then tempted to quote Inigo Montoya, but using this nonsense word in it’s place,

“Irregardless. You keep saying that word. I do not think it means what you think it means.”

And, of course, it does not mean what they must think it means, because in fact it really does not mean anything.  People who use this nonstandard word think that they are substituting it for the word “regardless” and so making emphasis on the word to create a stronger meaning. Sadly, they are actually doing just the opposite, because the word, regardless already means, without regard. When the prefix ‘ir’ is added to a word, it is a variant of the prefix ‘in’, which means, not, lacking, or the opposite of. Therefore, when added to the word regardless, it basically adds another without to the meaning, creating a meaning of without without regard. This becomes a double negative. So then, just what are they trying to say, that they now do have regard for what they so adamently tried to have regard against? I am confused as well we should all be.

irregardless is a nonstandard, slang word, that technically has no real meaning. So basically, if you want to sound ignorant, then by all means use this word. If you really don’t care what others think of you, then put it right out there. And please use it over and over again like the person I mentioned. After all the more incorrect ways and times you use it, the more profound it becomes, correct?! As to what is becoming profound, perhaps you should ponder that one a bit.

An example:

Regardless of the NO TRESPASSING VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED sign posted at the entrance of the fishing hole. The teenagers were caught fishing there.

In the above example they would have done this without regard or mindfulness of the sign warning them not to do this, therefore not taking things in to account.

Now let us use the same example with the other word:

Irregardless of the NO TRESPASSING VIOLATORS WILL BE PROSECUTED sign posted at the entrance of the fishing hole. The teenagers were caught fishing there.

In this example, it would literally mean they did this because of the sign warning them not to do this, because the double negative cancels out the  without regard for the sign and only leaves regard. Now they are mindful of the sign, and just don’t care. (Of course if they are teenagers, in their mind it might make perfect sense, at least until after they get in trouble.)

Is it a bit of reverse psychology for those using this word, where as now instead making their point they are actually making the opposite point?

You see, none of it makes sense, because it is a nonsense word.

The American English Usage Dictionary, chastens the word irregardless stating that the word seldom gets into print, but is “occasionally heard in speech from people who should know better.”

And with that, I rest my case!