The English language is complex, often logical and illogical, and, as with many languages, can be further confounded by culture, dialect, and its passing from generation to generation. I often playfully argue with my next-door neighbor about whether irregardless is a word. I have found myself referencing the dictionary while she points out the countless movies and television programs in which the word has been used. (Note: I may have just won the argument by running this column through spell check. Yes!)
The many complexities and nuances of the language has captivated comedians like Larry David and the late George Carlin. Carlin has a classic routine where he discusses the “irregularities” of the language just within the confines of a situation we are all most likely familiar with, boarding an airplane. In one portion of the standard boarding announcements, the crew will ask passengers to “get ‘on’ the plane.” Carlin remarks, “No, thank you, I’ll be getting ‘in’ the plane.”