Going through a phrase

Correcting someone for their grammar or pronunciation is now considered elitist. Why bea show-off when you could just have good conversation?

- Karishma Kuenzang

In Modern Family, Gloria is mocked for struggling with English. Her response: "I know what I meant to mean! Do you even know how smart I am in Spanish? Of course you don't!"

Those railing against the phrase delulu is the solulu, what's the fight about, exactly? Sure, being delusional can't be any solution for long. If the problem is with the made-up words delulu and solulu, gather around. There's so much to unpack, this may well be a YouTube unboxing video.

Delulu doesn't show up in any dictionary. Solulu isn't uttered within hearing distance of King Charles. Is that reason to stop and correct someone who's used the phrase? King Charles probably wouldn't do it. Interrupting someone, unasked, to fix their grammar, pronunciation and usage, is no longer considered cool. On the contrary, it's increasingly seen as classist and unnecessary. No one likes a show-off.

"If one chooses to look down on those who speak improperly in casual interaction, that might be elitist," says Devina Krishna, assistant professor of linguistics at Patna Women's College.

"The goal should be the desire to empower each person to express themselves clearly."

Let's put it simply, for the benefit of those clutching their red Wren & Martin textbooks. What Krishna means is that if someone's words have made sense, if their message has been conveyed, it ain't broken. So don't jump in to fix it.