As in inspired by this post:
- rain: precipitation, water falling down from the sky.
- reign: monarchical rule, act a state or as an action.
- rein: leads used to control a horse or other motive animal; the act of using such leads.
So …
A tyrant does not instigate a “rain of terror” — while metaphorically interesting, the actual term is reign of terror.
Similarly, someone does not re-exert control over a situation by “reigning someone in.” While understable, since it does reference some sort of domination, the actual term (if you stop to think about it) is to rein someone in, like one would do a horse. The opposite, letting someone loose, is to give free rein to (letting loose of the reins of a horse).
If I had a nickel for every time I saw these used incorrectly in a professional or respected blog or newspaper article, then I’d be able to buy coffee at Starbucks every day. Without that nickel, it’s simply intensely annoying.
(The comments to the cited post include a variety of similar pet peeves.)
“The reign in spain, falls mainly on the plane”
By Jove I think she’s got it!
~runs away laughing maniacally, glad he does not have a respected blog~
See, I thought you were commenting on the crushing use German air power during the Spanish Civil War, leading to Franco’s overthrow of the monarchy. My mistake.
~snort~
~snort~
How do you correct people who’ve clearly selected the wrong word?
There are times where I see repeated misuse of a word and just want to take the person aside and set them straight.
Yet, as much as I don’t mind being arrogant about it, I do mind the appearance of being arrogant. 😉
I find the best way is to be humorously apologetic for your own obsessive-compulsive nature — “I hate to say something, but I’m way too nitpicky about these things, and I think you wanted to use ‘reign’ there. Sorry — I was traumatized by a Man-Eating Thesaurus when I was a kid.”