Quote:
Originally Posted by Steve_Alaniz
Hi All,
Hey I notice a lot of teams out there accept their invitation to an alliance by saying "Team xxxx Graciously accepts your invitation" (xxxx = your team number smartie!) This is a contradiction of terms. Gracious is one of those adjectives you cannot apply to yourself...
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Steve -
Thank you, thank you, thank you for bringing this up. This is one of those little things that causes me to grind my teeth in frustration at almost every event. My former-English-teacher grandmother turns in her grave every time this phrase is uttered (which means that around lunchtime on most Saturdays in March, she is spinning at about 72 rpm). A strict interpretation of the rules of grammar would permit the use of "gracious" as an adverb in "we graciously accept." However, in use the word "gracious" is applied in reference to someone/thing else, and never to oneself. To do so is an improper use of the word, a violation of social context, and to be blunt, it makes one come across as conceited. In short, labeling yourself as gracious is, in and of iteslf, an ingracious act.
While I think we can all understand that no harm is intended by any of those that may mistakenly use this phase, I would encourage the use of any of the suggested alternative phrases. "We accept your gracious offer" would be a perfect response. "We gratefully accept!" would be a wonderful response from a team that wasn't sure if they were going to make it into the elimination rounds. Even "Whoa!!! Yeah! Absolutely! We are SOOO there!" would work. And of course "we are ecstatic about the opportunity to accept your offer, and we will pay you the two dozen Krispy Kremes right after lunch" is always appropriate.
-dave