Curmudgeons' Corner

Guestmudgeon Dean Moblo thinks he might as well complain about

Just today, I heard someone say "Well, we mineaswell go to the movies, then..." Why do we use this phrase/word in these kinds of context? What started this? Am I just hearing things?

Nope.  Melanie actually said that as a kid before figuring out exactly what the words were.  It's interesting that the t of might mutates to an n.

Might as well dates in the written record from 1440!  The sense is one of equivalence of one action with another.  "We might as well go to the movies as stay home".  The two actions are both qualified as "well".

Have you heard or read similar or equally distressing usages?

Do tell us. 

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