The term 'taken for granite' came up at OEDILF. It has quite a few ghits as an American mispronunciation of 'taken for granted' (which isn't too big a jump given the accent) but observing it's occurrence on the net I wondered if it's a deliberate or naive mispronunciation.

I've never heard of it in the UK. But then we pronounced "granted" as is is written, with a long "a" in the south and a short "a" elsewhere - but the "t" is never dropped so far as I'm aware in UK English.

I suspect it's just an eggcorn.

See also http://itre.cis.upenn.edu/~myl/languagelog/archives/001823.html

It is naive, I would say. Some people might use it deliberately, but it would be either sarcasm or a mistake due to not knowing any better.

“Taken for granite” is often said
By some people we think are well read.
But we smart ones all know
That it’s “granted” and so
Seems the granite is all in their head.

I doubt that most US users know that the original was "granted." I guess it has to do with being "stoned" too often.

Asa, that wasn't a bit gneiss !!


Let's say it again once or twice
And seek geologic advice
Let's not take it for granite
Or the censors will pan it
And tell us that granite's not gneiss.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: jerry thomas,

The first, and only, way I've heard the phrase "taken for granite" is in the joke about the fellow who failed his geology exam, because he "took everything for granite."

Any other usage reflects ignorance of an astonishing degree.

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Any other usage reflects ignorance of an astonishing degree.

Welcome to the foundation of advertising and politics.

And Jerry, I shale withhold comment, lest you think I give a schist.

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I give a schist.

Do you give it by the quartz?

Let him who is without sin be the first to get stoned.

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Let him who is without sin be the first to get stoned.

I would if I were a little boulder.

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I doubt that most US users know that the original was "granted."

Really, Asa? I've never heard "granite."

I have, however, been reviewing some international abstracts, and one used the word "granite" in a very different way. I hadn't ever heard the word used that way, but I can't remember how they used it now.

I've never heard "granite."

I have. Plenty of times. But, always, as Cat suggests, intentionally and with sarcastic intent. YMMV.

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I suspect it's just an eggcorn.

Or a malapropism.

Yes, I think you may be right, Richard - there isn't a similarity of meaning between granite/granted and I was really wondering if people realised they were mistaken or not.

Anyway, thank you for the elucidation everyone. One thing it shows (again) is that you can't generalise about Americans.

Thanks too for the link to the languagelog, Bob. I spent ages there just flicking through from one article to another to another to... which reminds me of a quote about the internet being (from recollection) where the uninformed graze ferally in unfenced fields of knowledge. How true!

Edit: It seems apt to admit that when I first posted this I typed in the quote "where the uniformed graze ferally".

This message has been edited. Last edited by: stella,

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Anyway, thank you for the elucidation everyone. One thing it shows (again) is that you can't generalise about Americans.

Awwww, you mean we're not all loud, boorish, hubristic louts? Then I shall do my utmost to bolster our flagging reputation!

Asa the uniformly uninformed