"That hurted me."
Tenth grade English. It was the Friday before Thanksgiving break. They had a project having to do with Macbeth, and so they were talking and working.
If I had a dollar for every time a student used the word "hurted", I would not need to sub. Normally, I don't say anything about it. There are many of them who are English language learners, and I don't feel the need to correct every one of their grammar errors.
However, this didn't start with me. Another student pointed out that "hurted" isn't a word.
The boy who had said it said of course it was.
Um, no. No, it's not proper usage. And now it was time for me to jump in and point that out.
Oh no. He apparently knows English usage better than I do. He informed me that it was correct.
We went back and forth. I told him to go ahead and look it up. He got out his phone. He found this entry from Wiktionary...
And somehow he seemed to think this proved his point. I asked him what century we were in. He got it right on the second try. I pointed out the "archaic" part.
Still, he would not be dissuaded.
Okay, fine. You can't convince someone who won't be persuaded by proof. So, I walked away.
I did, however, make a point of telling the teacher all about this at the end of the day. (She was on campus, so she returned to the room after school.) I mean, it's an English class, after all. Teaching proper usage is part of her job.
She knew exactly who I was talking about. And I have a feeling "hurted" is going to be on the agenda upon their return from Thanksgiving break. If only I could be a fly on the wall on that day...
(If you want a good laugh, look up "hurted" on Urban Dictionary. Apparently this issue is more widespread than I thought.)
I looked up the definition on Urban Dictionary. My day is made now! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteMine, too. I was worried for a minute, though.
DeleteIt was a word once. Maybe it'll make a comeback.
ReplyDeleteMy head shall now go into the future of talking about my head having hurted.
ReplyDeleteAh, to be young and dumb again and to be so sure you know it all!
ReplyDeleteThe kid who used 'hurted' is not an ESL student, right? Maybe he was just trying to wind everyone up by using the -ed ending? I mean, I hope he truly knows that 'hurted' is incorrect.
ReplyDeleteI think he's a native speaker. That school is largely Latino, so English might be his second language. But, alas, I'm pretty sure he was totally serious in thinking hurted was correct usage.
DeleteLooked at the student name page and WOW!
DeleteI have to admit that I have a soft spot for the parents who named their boy 'Calrissian'. Star Wars FTW
Yeah, I enjoyed that name. I believe he went by Cal. I believe he's graduated.
DeleteThere plenty of phrase and words I use. A grammer teacher would shake me up a bit.
ReplyDeleteCoffee is on
It just don't sound right to say "hurted." I can't see myself ever saying that. One thing that bugs hubby is certain family members say "axed" for "asked."
ReplyDeletebetty
Hey....I’m a blonde. I feel very hurted
ReplyDeleteAnd he wasn't. I guess the blonde jokes have run their course. We could replace the standard dumb person with a 45 voter ;)
DeleteI just look "hurted" in dictionaries... I see ….I understand now.
ReplyDeletehave a great day
I'm glad I'm not the only one suffering through its use.
DeleteThank you for the link. Heh... Be well!
ReplyDeleteI was heartened to see that I'm not the only one hearing it.
DeleteYou know, I may have stuff thrown at me, but I kind of like "hurted".
ReplyDeleteIt's more logical, sure. But try it in a sentence. Doesn't it hurt your ears?
Delete