Paper Knapkin // Pet Peeve: "Aesthetic"

Pet Peeve: "Aesthetic"

//October 02, 2006//

First, I admit it. I'm a language snob. I think spelling and good grammar count and I hate it when I see words misspelled and sentences abused. I also read a lot of blogs. Unfortunately for me, the latter often fuels my hatred with regard to the former.

I'm not saying I always use proper grammar or spell words correctly all the time, but I do try, even in e-mail. So, that's why I fret whenever I see others, especially those who post to blogs regularly, not even attempting to write well.

There are many instances of poor blogmanship out there, but one that I've been noticing more lately is how folks use the word "aesthetic". Since many of the blogs I read are focused on design, this word comes up quite often. But I've almost never seen it used correctly! Nearly every time, it's used thusly: "aesthetically pleasing". Wrong! The word "aesthetic" means pleasing. From Webster:

Main Entry: aesthetic
Function: adjective

1 a: of, relating to, or dealing with aesthetics or the beautiful;
1 b: ARTISTIC: a work of aesthetic value;
1 c: pleasing in appearance : ATTRACTIVE: easy-to-use keyboards, clear graphics, and other ergonomic and aesthetic features.

So, instead of saying something like, "I thought that site was aesthetically pleasing", instead you can just say, "I thought that site was aesthetic" or even better "The contemporary aesthetics of that site were on par with some of the best modern design I've seen in some time." Whatever. Just don't write "aesthetically pleasing". It ain't right.

Posted at 03:44 PM // Design | Education

Comments // (3512)

M // October 28, 2006 08:49 AM

I use "aethetically pleasing" just to annoy you :)

My gripe is with idiotic everyday spelling errors like "definately" - there is NO "A" in definitely, people! About half of my friends spell it incorrectly and I have to say that as soon as I see it in an email, I hit the delete button. It irks me so.

ia // December 22, 2006 06:36 AM

I am thiiiis close to starting a blog on all the English language mistakes I've encountered. From friends to strangers. It's so damn irritating!

Kyle Korleski // December 22, 2006 08:42 PM

Yes, this is something I hate as well. I do not like bad spelling or grammar on the Internet. In fact, I am happy that the new versions of Firefox are shipping with an integrated spell checker. And it works with WYSIWYG editors like the ones in WordPress and vBulletin.

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