Crystal Clear Proofing: Aloud vs. Out Loud

Wednesday, September 8, 2010

Aloud vs. Out Loud

The American Heritage Dictionary of Idioms states that "out loud" started as a colloquialism for "aloud" in 1821. At first "out loud" was frowned on, but it has worked its way into standard English, so "out loud" and "aloud" are synonyms.

If you're being especially careful, you may want to stick with "aloud" in formal writing; but "out loud" is standard and even preferred in some sayings such as "laugh out loud."

If "out loud" hadn't become a rival of "aloud," the text messaging abbreviation could have been one character shorter: "LA" instead of "LOL" but I imagine "LA" wouldn't have caught on. Los Angeles and Louisiana would not have been amused.

Source: Grammar Girl

15 comments:

Mason CanyonSeptember 8, 2010 at 7:14:00 AM CDT
Very interesting point. I tend to use 'out loud' over 'aloud' I just assumed it was my southern roots showing. LOL

Mason
Thoughts in Progress
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UnknownSeptember 8, 2010 at 7:22:00 AM CDT
Mason: I use 'out loud' also. I think the majority of people do; it's the way we talk. Outside of work I've edited, in normal conversations or written correspondence, I don't see 'aloud' used much at all.
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~Sia McKye~September 8, 2010 at 10:27:00 AM CDT
You do come with some interesting things, Crystal. BTW, love the cat pics, :-)
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Carol KilgoreSeptember 8, 2010 at 10:43:00 AM CDT
Great - LOL :)
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Elizabeth Spann CraigSeptember 8, 2010 at 11:34:00 AM CDT
I'm like Mason...I think it's colloquial!

Great review, Crystal. :)
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UnknownSeptember 8, 2010 at 11:50:00 AM CDT
Sia: Thank you! You made my day!

Carol: :)

Elizabeth: Thank you! ♥
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SouthpawSeptember 8, 2010 at 3:23:00 PM CDT
Just yesterday, I did two separate blog comments. One used out loud and one aloud. Why? I dunno. But I did smack my head when I realized my inconsistency.
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Alex J. CavanaughSeptember 8, 2010 at 5:01:00 PM CDT
Clever girl! Yeah, LA doesn't have the same ring to it.
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Creative ChroniclerSeptember 8, 2010 at 5:51:00 PM CDT
very interesting. I used "out loud" unless I'm refering to my thoughts.

Love your purple & green "Hi" kitty!
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Old KittySeptember 8, 2010 at 5:58:00 PM CDT
LOL!!! Thank goodness for out loud!! LA for me will always be Los Angeles!

Take care
x
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UnknownSeptember 9, 2010 at 6:15:00 AM CDT
Holly: Since they're synonyms, it's okay that you were "inconsistent!" It's awesome, though, that you recognized it! :)

Alex: LOL! LA definitely just doesn't work, does it?

Chris: Thanks! "Hi" kitty seemed appropriate for my blog!

Old Kitty: I totally agree. LA will always be Los Angeles! I never even think of it in regard to Louisiana.
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L. Diane WolfeSeptember 9, 2010 at 1:56:00 PM CDT
And since I use out loud all the time, I'm glad it's acceptable!
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WriterSeptember 9, 2010 at 8:37:00 PM CDT
Hi Crystal,
Love your kitty cats ;) This post is short but great! I'd better be careful when I leave messages in your blog or I'll be in trouble. As a writer, I'm supposed to be mindful of typos and grammar :( Can we writers get a break outside our niche? Especially me because my brain is always playing catch up with my fingers. Love your blog! Just became your lucky 107 follower. Hope to see you in my neighborhood.
Cheers!
Claudia
www.claudiadelbalso.blogspot.com
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AnonymousSeptember 10, 2010 at 4:11:00 AM CDT
I had no idea. I just thought the two different expressions evolved in differnt places and we adopted both as more or less accurate. Thanks for sharing.
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UnknownSeptember 10, 2010 at 7:01:00 AM CDT
Diane: Me too!

Claudia: Thank you so much for following! (And absolutely– everyone gets a "break" when leaving comments!)

Cassandra: Nice to see you! So glad you stopped by! :)
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