Member posted December 09, 2012 21:02
Just as we (everyone in the world except for arnie) have redefined "moot," have we redefined "hone in"? See this
headline? By the way, this post comes courtesy of Geoff. Geoff, we are patiently awaiting your return!
Member I think it's a typo. It should be "homes in". "To hone" is "to sharpen" or "to improve" in my version of English.
The party could hone its skills - such as those of compaigning - but it couldn't "hone in" on them.
Member It's actually a fairly common usage these days. MW says the first recorded usage is 1965 - I have heard it rather a lot.
Member Yes, I've come across it several times as well.
This site includes a usage note:
quote:
Hone is sometimes wrongly used where home is meant: this device makes it easier to home in on (not hone in on ) the target
Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
Member I don't think it's a typo. It's a nonstandard variant that dates back to the 60s, according to MWDEU.
<Proofreader> posted December 10, 2012 14:33
It's similar to the variant of "in the pit of my stomach" which transmogrified into "I've a pit in my stomach", which is dead wrong.
Member I do believe we talked about "home in" here before, but, Proof, I've never heard that one about a "pit in my stomach." The worst of it is, I think I might have said that before!
Member Alan Sugar used "hone in" on this week's Apprentice.
Member quote:
Posted Aug 01, 05 16:04 I can't say I've ever heard/seen hone in on..
arnie
quote:
Posted Dec 10, 12 19:24
arnie
Several times in the last seven years apparently.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: BobHale , December 13, 2012 22:03
Member Those were probably the several times.
Build a man a fire and he's warm for a day. Set a man on fire and he's warm for the rest of his life.
Member I heard "hone in" at a meeting a couple of days ago. It's funny how our discussions will heighten our awareness of things like this.
Member Well, after reading this thread, I went back and read the earlier discussion on "moot". I can see that the definition of it is now "moot".
<Proofreader> posted January 02, 2013 12:36
quote:
Did you know that the word "gullible" is not in the dictionary?
Is that meant as a check on our gullibility?
Member quote:
Is that meant as a check on our gullibility?
Would you believe me if I said "no"?
Member Ah, well. Gullible me. I checked.
It's there.
This message has been edited. Last edited by: BobHale, 
It's there.