...so maybe you could assume people aren't native english speakers to sooth yourself?
Sooth: Noun meaning truth (archaic)
Soothe: Verb (with object) meaning gently calm (a person or their feelings)
So, sheepstache, I am confused. Was that your point? Were you just being funny? Or did you not take time to read your own comment? I just can't tell.
Wow. Tough group. I am not a native English speaker and so I will speak up for those of us who bravely try to keep up with American slang and still manage to get much of our basic English grammar correct.
I am French and we have our own language snobbery, but I have to say why would anyone want to be a Grammar Nazi? I think it is more important to try to understand the point a person is making rather than grade them on their grammar.
First of all, MrsK, my hat's off to you. To be able to speak and write more than one language is a skill I dearly wish I could get my stubborn brain to acquire. I only speak English fluently and my grammar is far from perfect. I am also an extremely poor typist. Even though I preview and proofread every comment, I cringe at the stinkers that get past me. I simply can't imagine being able to do that in more than one language.
The reason for using the correct word is
exactly so that the reader can understand the writer's point. In the case you cited above, there is a little bit more going on than meets the eye. Sheepstache is a very good writer and frequent contributor. I was fairly certain that the use of "sooth" vs. "soothe" was merely a typo, but it did cleverly underscore the thread's main point. Sheepstache is both smart and funny, so I would have completely believed that the typo was deliberate.
The fact that people care enough to organize their thoughts, and take the time to share them using proper spelling, grammar, and punctuation is apparent throughout this site. I believe this shows a level of respect for fellow forum participants. It is a far cry from the garbage comments one sees on Yahoo, for example. One sees so many egregious errors out in the world; it's nice to have a sheltered place to air one's pet peeves. I enjoy reading about what drives others nuts, primarily so I can hold a mirror up and check that I'm not making the same mistakes.
I believe there was a comment upstream giving all non-native speakers a pass. I second that. I truly hope it's clear that these "peeves" are directed at people who should know better, myself included.
I think the whole "Grammar Nazi" thing came into widespread usage when the (then) very popular Seinfeld Show featured a character called the Soup Nazi. The term took hold and is apparently here to stay. Grammar Zealot might be a more accurate term, but sadly, it doesn't have the same ring to it.