Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
Did you see the photo that Lance Armstrong recently posted on twitter?
If you didn’t, here it is on screen now.
It certainly caused a bit of outrage. There he is relaxing on his couch, and his yellow
jerseys in the background, clearly saying to the world that he thinks he’s still a
champion.
Now I’m not here to talk cycling. But, there’s another source of – if not outrage – a
little bit of annoyance in that photo.
Look closely at the caption: ‘Back in Austin and just layin’ around’.
Layin’? Shouldn’t that be lyin'?
Yeah, it really should.
‘Laying’ refers to placing something down.
If I lay my cards on the table, I’m placing them on the table. And once they’re on the
table they’re lying on the table – they’re not laying on it.
Now, it’s quite probable that grammar isn’t Lance’s number one priority right at the
moment.
But if you want to get it right, then the next time you’re going to say ‘laying’,
just check. Do you mean ‘placing’? And if not, then say ‘lying’ instead.
So let’s try it out.
‘Back in Austin, just placin’ around.’ Make any sense?
No – so it has to be ‘Back in Austin and just lyin’ around’.
Now Lance is in pretty good company – the incorrect usage is really, really common.
And you may ask yourself, does it really matter?
Well it really shouldn’t – the main thing about language is just to communicate effectively
and clearly and Lance sure does get his point across.
But, and to quote from the Merriam Webster: “Remember that even though many people do
use lay for lie, others will judge you unfavorably if you do.”
Still, it’s probably not going to stop you from having a hit song.
(Singing) ‘I just wanna lay in my bed.’