Curmudgeons' Corner

Guestmudgeon Carol McLeod doesn't like everyday usage

Well, this may not actually be a distressing usage, per se, but it gripes me to see the trend in commercials to use everyday when what is meant is every day.

Yes, that is a valid complaint.  "We are open every day" and "It is available at the everyday low price of $1" are correct usages.  Here is what the Microsoft Encarta College Dictionary has to say about this issue:

When you intend to use either of these words as an adjective or a noun meaning "ordinary occasions", as in everyday life or part of the everyday, the one-word version is correct.  Adverbial uses, as in We should eat fruit every day, and the noun use meaning "each day", as in every day is different, call for the two-word version.  Thus everyday in every way means "ordinary in all respects", whereas every day in every way means "daily and completely".

Have you heard or read similar or equally distressing usages?

Do tell us. 

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