Don't Argue With Al

I'm sure this will be of interest to all who read this post. Most of you have had a burning desire to know this...I just know you have! There is a viable usage for the word IRREGARDLESS!

For years, our son-in-law has used the word “irregardless”. And, for years, his wife (our dear daughter) has argued that there is no such word in the English language.

This weekend, the subject came to the forefront, once again. The son-in-law called (long distance) and queried, “Is irregardless a legitimate word, or not?” And, I, in all my wisdom, told him “No, I didn't believe so but I would try to find out for sure.”

I checked on dictionary.com, and, sure enough, there are 4 entries for the word...first entry being:

“Irregardless is considered nonstandard because of the two negative elements ir- and -less. It was probably formed on the analogy of such words as irrespective, irrelevant, and irreparable. Those who use it, including on occasion educated speakers, may do so from a desire to add emphasis. Irregardless first appeared in the early 20th century and was perhaps popularized by its use in a comic radio program of the 1930s.”

Irregardless may be a nonstandard word to most people, but Al will continue using it irregardless of what others may think!!

Through the years (29 that he has been a part of our family) I've learned that Al is more often right than wrong, much to the chagrin of various family members! He has an uncanny knowledge of the most trivial of trivia, dating from decades before his birth.

We all cringe at the thought of being involved in any form of family entertainment that requires guessing games or trivia games. He always comes out the winner! (his specialty is titles/recording artists of the 40's-50's.)

But Glory! We have another son-in-law with the same attributes as Al! How lucky is that?? Can you imagine what it's like at a family gathering with Jeff and Al together? Of all the things you can be thinking of....BORING should not be one of them.

Irregardless, the word irregardless is with us to stay!