Monday may I correct you: lose vs. loose

Oh, I know. I haven't checked in AT ALL since last Monday, even though I said I would. I promise this won't become the grammar corner, though I have to admit that I received a whopping four comments on last Monday's post, more than I typically get, so maybe I'm on to something.

Anyway, this won't be too long. I see the lose/loose mix-up everywhere, because - let's face it - there aren't too many people who aren't trying to drop at least a few pounds these days. Or their favorite sports teams don't win all the time. Or they chronically misplace things. Whatever. It's all over the place.

So, to clarify: "lose" is a verb. It's an action being done. As in, "I would like to lose some weight." Or, "I hate it when the Packers lose the Super Bowl." (hehe hehe) One "o" followed by a "z" sound.

"Loose" sounds like "noose" or "goose". It's also most commonly used as an adjective used to describe, not a verb. (You can actually "loose" something, as in making it loose/less tight, but that's another discussion) As in, "I lost weight, so now my clothes are loose." Or, "That bolt is loose and needs to be tightened." Or, "I have a loose tooth". Two "o"'s, followed by a hissy "s" sound. It describes something that is not tight or secure.

So, if you write that you want to drop some pounds, you want to lose weight (action you want to do) so your jeans will be loose (description of how you want your jeans to be). If you "loose" weight, that creates the very unattractive picture of your exact same weight, all your belly rolls still gathered around your waist, just... less dense. Floppy. Not as tightly connected to your body. And that's just gross, people. No one wants that.

On that same subject, if you want to insult someone, they are a "loser". One "o", "z" sound. They are not a "looser", which would mean they run around making things less tight.

Ready to put your new-fangled knowledge to the test?

--I'm so fat. I need to lose/loose some weight.
--If you screw up the next game, we're going to lose/loose the tournament.
--Bubba Jo punched me in the face, so my two front teeth are a little lose/loose.
--My iPod shuffle is so tiny, it is easy to lose/loose.
--In my day, women who slept around were called "lose/loose".
--I can't believe that jerk stood me up. He's such a loser/looser.

Answers:

--I'm so fat. I need to lose/loose some weight.
--If you screw up the next game, we're going to lose/loose the tournament.
--Bubba Jo punched me in the face, so my two front teeth are a little lose/loose.
--My iPod shuffle is so tiny, it is easy to lose/loose.
--In my day, women who slept around were called "lose/loose".
--I can't believe that jerk stood me up. He's such a loser/looser.