Today I read "loose" for "lose" and "their" for "they're" in two different posts on this Board, both from long-term members. Is this a sign that these aberrations are becoming the standard?

It may be the norm, but I, for one, will never accept it!

Deth to carless typing, espetillaly on this borad.

> Deth to carless typing, espetillaly on this borad.

I hear ya.

Speaking as someone who, for one reason or the other (e.g. my eclectic education), has never mastered the written form of language to the same extent as my verbal capabilities, I'd say, 'Cut the people some slack!'.
I do strive to get my point across with the minimum amount of textual errors, so if someone is annoyed about the mistakes I've made and disregards the posts I've made because of that, then sod them. I think most do their best to avoid blunders like those stated above, and that's what's important. I, myself, personally, individually, would always be happy to have someone point out my persistent errors (i.e. not typographical mistakes) via PM - others may be offended by this.
It is helpful to bear in mind that on any one occasion where you pick up a piece of published writing, be it a 19th century novel or a current newspaper, you more often than not see something pretty dodgy. And that's after a couple of very qualified people have looked over it!

Some of the long-standing members that use these spellings do it on purpose for the fun of it, or to make a point.Hi, Musick!One of my personal favorites in this category is "werkin'". Sometimes it's not by design but an accidentHi, Helen!I just read them and don't get upset. On occasion, if I think the person in question would like to go back and edit, I will send a pm. I, personally, come here for fun. Talk smart and funny to me, I don't care how you spell the words.

And the musick keeps playing.....

http://wordsmith.org/board/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=miscellany&Number=30874

http://wordsmith.org/board/showthreaded.pl?Cat=&Board=miscellany&Number=30724

We all are here because we love words and language. I believe it is desirable that we use them carefully, and try to express our thoughts clearly and in good taste. Because what we post is read by more than a few who are trying to learn or improve their knowledge of English, I recommend that we avoid colloquialsms they may be unable to understand.
I have never been praised for my writing. Indeed I have have had very harsh criticism of it. So I do not expect my posts to be exemplars. But I do try. I proofread them several times to catch typos. The dictionary I have running minimized makes it easy for me to check spellings.
If only I had some ideas of interest to those who read my posts. Particularly about interesting words.

>If only I had some ideas of interest to those who read my posts. Particularly about interesting words.

self-deprecating twaddle... subtle swipe... twaddle... swipe... <balancing hands>

(post no bills)

Dear tsuwm: Would you have preferred my giving you a real chance to shoot me down? And you have been very sparing with interesting word posts lately.

spelling is so elusive. and the idea "of looking it up in a dictionary" seems to me, ridiculous! things in the dictionary are in alphabetical order. if i knew the letters in order, then i would know how to spell it. if it didn't, how could i do it?

well, the good thing was, i learned to love dictionaries!

up until i had a good spell checker (aenegma has personality, but lets face it, it is not a good spell checker) there were words i never ever used in writing.. like decide

i could never be be sure was is diside (dis has a negating meaning like disagree)
was it deside? -- again de can be to remove decapitated, and when you decide you have removed doubt.

or was is dicide? and maybe related to dictate-- a dictum or order?

so for a long time i would opt or make a choice or elect or some other word.. that i could spell.

now, computer programs gentle, quitely, patiently correct me, and slowly, i am learning!

let delete: sparing with interesting word posts
& replace: sparring with interesting word posts

Stet "Word posts"