Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

The code won't compile if you violate the rules of the programming language...but English is more robust, it seems to work pretty well no matter how we engineering nerds mangle it!

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

LOL... Funny thing: We actually told our team representative (big giant leprechaun, MWR 07) to not say "We graciously accept." Instead we gave him multiple alternatives; however, being Josh he still said it anyways.

It's just a common misunderstanding and teams have been doing it since the beginning.

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

If picked, students on team 45 have been ordered to not say "graciously accept" for a couple of years. They can accept in any creative way, saying whatever they want, as long as it represents the team well and does not insult the other teams.

In St. Louis, team 1444 picked us, and Kyle Love responded with something like this:

"Hoooo yea! Team 45 would love to 'Shake n Bake' with team 1444" (or something like that)

(we watched the Ricky Bobby movie on the ride over to St. Louis, so "Shake n Bake" was the saying of the weekend)

At the Boilermaker Regional, team 1501 picked us, and Nick Boyce was a little more toned down:

"Team 45 would absolutely LOVE to be partnered with team 1501 - we accept"

I am still waiting to see a poem or a song sung by an accepting student. That would be cool.

AB

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

Roses are red; violets are blue.
Your invitation's accepted by 1902.

Or perhaps in the form of a haiku?

Exploding Bacon
Humbly and gladly accepts
Your invitation

Practice these, James. You're using one in Vegas! ;-]

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

Whatever happened to "Sure."

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

We're not boring people here, Ed. That's what happened to "sure."

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

I heard some team last year say "on behalf of ___________________, we accept" (replace the blank with the team's 500 sponsors). That got annoying real quick.

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

Steve,

While I have just learned something new about how the word "gracious" is currently used, I have to remind you that the English language is constantly evolving. One only needs to look at almost any definition in the OED to understand this.

As an example, the word "radical" was used as a scientific or mathematical term. During the 1980s, the word became a slang term and received a new definition to add to the previous ones.

If I had to worry about the proper use of English terms, I would focus on "me vs. I" and "good vs. well". I'll never forget the day before I graduated with an English degree. I was walking back to the dorm from my car and two students were walking away from the dorm. I overheard one of the students say "Chancellor X did a well job of recruiting students for next year." I instantaneously cringed.

The other thing I would worry about is the overall writing ability of the students. The internet has significantly impacted how things are now written.

Worrying about giving a new meaning or way of being used isn't such a bad thing in the grand scheme of things.

indieFan

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

How about "Guns up lets do this, LEEEEEEEEEEEEEROY JEEEEEEEEEENKINS" then procede to get your robot and start the match instantly.

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

You can't be truly gracious if you tell everyone that you are accepting in a gracious manner. You would be truly more gracious if you said something like, 'We are honored to...'

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

From what that says (Dictionary.com), it looks like you can say that and mean you are happy, or relieved. I still dont get what the point of trying to tell us to NOT say "graciously". That sounds a little like UNgraciousness there.

EDIT***

This has to be the best thing in the thread so far.

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

Steve,
If a team "graciously accepts" their representative is telling you so there is no ambiquity. They are accepting your invitation in the manner in which it was given (graciously) and they are telling you the condition of their acceptance.

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAA-HAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA Rack and Roll!!!!!!", followed by Maverick/Goose Style high five/low five......

Does that signify acceptance or insanity? I can't tell.

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

In all honestly as sitting through numerous matches on Thursday, Friday and even more on Saturday, it would be nice to have some creative ways to say that a team excepts. The nicest way that I could come up with to say something like that would be: "Team XXXX is more than happy to accept your invitation to "(insert game name here ex: Rack and Roll)". That sounds creative to me. I definatly challange every time to come up with some creative way to accept alliances either by the championships or even for next years game. I agree with gracious professionalism, but lets be creative. What are engineers suppose to be? Arn't they suppose to be creative? Let's see it teams. Just remember don't dishonor your team, the other team or your self in your creative answer.

Re: You Cannot Graciously Accept
 

Wicked awesome -- that's what they said, and wicked awesome partners they were. The 166 Chop Shop moved themselves and their signage all the way from the other side of the field at BMR to join their alliance partners 1189 and 931.