Pet Peeve #17 - Nausea
Some people claim the way the English language works only does so to piss them off.
Sometimes I’m inclined to agree.
Nausea, nauseous, nauseated… This is one of those things people get wrong so much it’s almost becoming the normal way to say it despite being incorrect. In fact, I don’t recall anyone ever using it right in my presence.
Putting it simply:
Nausea = Sickness of the stomach, an ill feeling, a feeling one my vomit. It’s a noun. A feeling.
Nauseous = Causing nausea. Think about this the next time you claim you are nauseous. You may very well be, but I have yet to encounter a person who makes me want to vomit on sight. Let’s assume you’re not.
Nauseated = Feeling nausea, about to vomit. Do you have an “icky” feeling? Then you’re feeling nauseated. Smell something bad that makes you want to vomit? You’re feeling nauseated. Not nauseous.
The nauseous smell invades your senses and causes nausea.
The nauseous smell invades your senses and causes you to feel nauseated.
The feeling of nausea came this morning, and you’ve been feeling nauseated since.
If you’re still a bit confused, check out this post by my friend at My Pet Shadow, which inspired this post.
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:20 am
I’m always feeling nauseous… oops sorry nauseated. The more I read your blog, the more I realise how many of your pet peeves that I do, or say! Pah, devil woman.
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:23 am
This is also the pet peeve of an old friend. Good choice. I’ll just stick with “feeling ill” or “sick to my stomach.”
April 3rd, 2007 at 12:39 pm
Nice post. Right now I don’t feel good. I feel ilke I want to puke. (My personal favorite too)
April 3rd, 2007 at 7:02 pm
Dave - Devil woman, maybe, but you know you still love me.
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Elisa - Right on! I decided a long time ago just to say something else.
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Paul - I hope you’re not truly feeling unwell. (There’s another option!)
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It’s hard to keep this post from turning into the various ways to say vomit.
April 3rd, 2007 at 11:59 pm
Ooo, that’s a good one. Another thing I hate–people who write compliment when they mean complement and vice versa! Bah!
April 4th, 2007 at 3:53 am
Haha. I’ll put that on my list.
April 5th, 2007 at 10:14 am
I don’t believe it! Finally, I’ve found someone beside me who is peeved by this. When I worked in Manhattan, the New Yorkers used to drive me crazy - in every case, all they would say is “nosh-us.”
wgb
April 5th, 2007 at 8:16 pm
Walter - Hehe. Yes, sir, I’m with you on this one! “Nosh-us.” Oy.
April 6th, 2007 at 9:11 am
It’s very rare that I read much that makes me blush anymore. But this did.. because I’ve been wrong for ALL OF THESE YEARS!
Thanks, JM!
April 6th, 2007 at 6:37 pm
No worries, Ivy. This is as common, if not more so, as people saying “people that” instead of “people who”.