Quote:
Originally Posted by DiapDealer
Hmmm. Right or wrong has never been a part of my interpretation of the definition of pedantic. In fact, I assume most pedants ARE technically correct. I'm shocked that a self-styled "precisian" would get that so wrong. 
|
The precisian was correct. Pedants THINK they're correct, but are often wrong. For example, anyone who insists on the "split infinitive rule" is both pedantic and wrong. There are countless other examples proving his point - the etymological fallacy, the refusal to accept polysemy (seen above), railing against the epicene "they", etc., etc.. Pedants do specialise in believing themselves to be right, without bothering to actually be so.