We’ve all grown up being told that reading is one of the most important things an individual can do. It can teach you things, open up your imagination and save you from making some pretty crazy mistakes in your every day life (thanks, Google.)
Reddit user r/books took to the aptly named forum and asked, “Has reading actually increased your vocabulary?” Other users decided to share some of their most hilarious and unusual mishaps with the English language and just how “increased” their vocabulary has become.
These are just great
1. This person who’s feeling the breeze… though
“I had a friend from Malaysia whose English was quite good, but there were little odd things he’d say. One day we went outside and he looked around and said, “It’s windy, though”. That was in 1986 and I have used that ever since.” – juche
2. This person who… did what on where?
“I used to work with a foreign guy and when he would tell me about something that someone told him face to face/to his face he would say “he told me on my face”. I would giggle on the inside.” – sdforbda
3. This person who better hope no one is listening to this conflict
“English is my second language. I hear “ears dropping “ and thought the expression comes from dropping your ears into someone’s conversation. Well, last week I was listening to a podcast and the title said “eavesdropping” and I am still confused haha.” sparetime999
4. This person who made something cute out of something… not that cute
“My father had a student who thought a ‘socialist treaty’ was a ‘socialist treatsy’. So every time we did a good job of something my mum would buy us a little bar of chocolate and call it our socialist treatsy. She still does it and I’m 40 now.” – 3Dhendo
5. This person who got it a little out-of-context but not totally wrong
“About 15 years ago I helped my best friend learn English when he first moved here (US) from Colombia. About a year into living here and working with me, he comes home one day, plops down heavily on the couch with a loud sigh and declares “ahhhh, but i digress”. I still say that to this day.” – FooeyDisco
6. This person who may or may not be asleep
“I had a roommate in Rome who always added a “t” in the middle of “I fell asleep.” I never figured out if he thought it was supposed to be “I felt asleep” or “I fell to sleep” – MokiAH
7. This person who may or may not be Snoop Dogg
“My step sister literally says doggy dog world and I do not know how to tell her she’s wrong.” – Weasley_is_our_king1
8. This person who gave Hermione a Siriusly Riddikulus name
“Her-me-own for like 3 years.” – Boognish_is_life