@gretchenmcc.bsky.social or other linguists. When the heck did "by accident" become "on accident"? Asking for my GenX cohort. - ThreadSky

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sauril.bsky.social • 113 days ago

@gretchenmcc.bsky.social or other linguists. When the heck did "by accident" become "on accident"? Asking for my GenX cohort.

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prosodist.bsky.social•113 days ago

My Gen Z son says "on accident" and thinks "by accident " is weird. He also says "by foot". By analogy, I guess (pun intended)

kedisimpson.bsky.social•112 days ago

I just asked my daughter (born 2002) - she has heard 'on accident' but says that her preferred use would be 'accidentally'.

devincaughey.bsky.social•113 days ago

I am Gen X (barely) and have said “on accident” as long as I can remember. Didn’t realize it was nonstandard until I was made fun of for it it as an adult.

e2lise.bsky.social•113 days ago

Influence of ‘on purpose’? I haven’t come across that yet!

knepherbird.com•113 days ago

Ooh, I'm gonna start saying "by purpose" and see if it gets any traction.

e2lise.bsky.social•113 days ago

Ha ! Brilliant !!

flipdrivel.bsky.social•113 days ago

Conversely, I'm hearing "by foot" as opposed to "on foot"

dwager.bsky.social•112 days ago

I say 'on accident'. Grew up in Los Angeles in the 60s and 70s.

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