Cc: Lalasticlala, Mynd44, Fynestboi

Toyin001:
My Profs in the house, I hope there aren't other dictionaries that contradict this this time around?

ikp120, ElRapido, Mortiple, fadjnr, bola4dprec, Omagogo, jericco1, oglalasioux, abbeyty, preetymee, buccal

Thank you.

Omagago:
Government Can help my solution, like me I be barbing

Toyin001:
Hello ooo,

My Naija people! Hope you are fine I believe you are!

The last time I attempted to enlighten Nigerians on an inappropriate use of word, I got insults in return as some profs attempted to prove it wrong and even accused me of misleading nairalanders. The thread was eventually closed; even with that, I thank God the post eventually reached over 3500 people and hence, I believe someone learnt something.

However, this little story of mine won't stop me from posting this enlightenment again!!!

It's a very common word among we men and also women that have little concern for our matter.

As a matter of fact, it's very likely you used the word less than one month ago.

Lol. You don't believe Read on.

Thanks to a facebook friend that enlightened me on this through a status update:

We are used to saying sentences like: I went to barb my hair; I will barb my hair next week; This barber didn't barb my hair very well; I was barbing my hair when you called me; I had my hair neatly barbed by that skilled barber, and etc.

Well, I'm pleased to tell you that though we use these sentences, they do not actually exist!

The word "barb" fully exist, however, with its tons of definitions but none has any relationship with the process of cutting a person's hair.

We'll rather use the words "cut" or "shave" in place of the barb we are fond of using.

HENCE, SIMPLY SAY THIS:

* I went to cut my hair; or

* I went to shave my hair.

* I will cut my hair next week; or

* I will shave my hair next week;

* This barber didn't cut my hair very well; or

* This barber didn't shave my hair very well;

* I was cutting my hair when you called me; or

* I was shaving my hair when you called me;

* I had my hair neatly cut by that skilled barber; or

* I had my hair neatly shaved by that skilled barber,
Hmm, I hope you've learnt something new right But I won't stop here though.

There is also a word that looks like "barb" that is appropriate to be used.

The word "barber" can mean the person who specializes in cutting people's hair. However, as a verb, the word "barber" also means to cut or trim someone's hair.

Hence, though it sounds somehow, these sentences below are 100% correct:

* I went to barber my hair;

* I will barber my hair next week;

* This barber didn't barber my hair very well;

* I was barbering my hair when you called me;

* I had my hair neatly barbered by that skilled barber.

These ones sound somehow and you could even be accused of throwing bullets, however, they are totally correct.

Haven't you learnt more

Thanks for your time in reading it!

Toyin001:


* I went to cut my hair; or

* I will cut my hair next week; or

Teewhydalegend:
I have noticed that some correct sentences in English language actually sound Incorrect.....English is weird!!!

LionDeLeo:


Op, you are also wrong on these.

You don't cut your hair, you only get/have it cut.

(Always in the passive voice, not active).

Abeg, allow us make we dey speak our English like that, we aren't English.

Teewhydalegend:
I have noticed that some correct sentences in English language actually sound Incorrect.....English is weird!!!

Alitair:
Correct man

chukxie:
Nice one!

Tiny23:
Good,front page,pls.

asuustrike2009:
Op you're 100% correct

boss1310:
are you done?
well let's go back to your earlier sentence where you asked if we are fine,we are not fine and what are you going to do about it.please don't tell us that English will feed us

Johnny19:
An average Nigerian will still say I went to BARB my hair. Op one thing you should know is that you can take a man away from the street but you can't take the street away from him .

He that has an ear let him hear before he/she goes to mess up in an interview.

jericco1:
You're correct but the problem with mid range Nigerians, is not that they don't know the correct usage but the system and people around us make us use 'barb' instead of 'cut' but among our learned peers, we use the right word but in the open we sometimes dare not because people will look at you differently, like 'who be this one?' 'you dey form say you school abi?' 'abeg park well, who you epp?. Over to you sir.

wins18:
I know some people will say op is forming, that he is an ITK.
op no mind them Oo
The lord is your strength

Toyin001:
Hmm, it happens that way actually, but you got your back once what you're saying his correct.

Thank you

Lol, Sorry about your being not fine!

Omagago:
Government Can help my solution, like me I be barbing

DjAndroid:
But I also think that

"I was shaving my hair when you called me" is wrong.

Since "Shaving" is the process of cutting hair, it will be out of place to add "my hair" in the sentence again.

Hence, it should be...

"I was shaving when you called me"

I stand to be corrected.