Now, the really sad thing here is that the lyrics contain an obvious usage mistake: "devise", a verb, (pronounced "dee-vize") meaning "to create" or "to invent" instead of "device", a noun, (pronounced "dee-VICE", as in "he have de vice of gamblin'") meaning something created to perform a specific purpose.
"You are locked in a prison of your own device."
And guess what: ain't no one here spotted this and they even proliferated the error by using the same incorrect term in their comments.
And of course, the phrase "of one's own device" is in very common literary usage to make an ironic observation that one has been screwed by one's very own actions--a lot like the phrase "hoist with one's own petard".
Ultimately, we are treated to the comic spectacle of folk working seriously to interpret a fairly literate lyric, and these same folk can't spot a simple spelling/usage error. I try to be as tolerant and democratic as the next man, but until you can spot this sort of error, you have not yet acquired the price of admission to participate in serious discussion.
@sawfish666 You are certainly unique in your arbitrarity. I can't help but wonder how you came to believe that the accidental (and probably resultative of the bandwagon effect) substitution of a single letter merits complete disqualification from the entire realm of logical discussion.
@sawfish666 You are certainly unique in your arbitrarity. I can't help but wonder how you came to believe that the accidental (and probably resultative of the bandwagon effect) substitution of a single letter merits complete disqualification from the entire realm of logical discussion.
I will, however, absolutely agree that this comment section is extraordinarily dull. "I am guessing it's about a lonely girl"? Really?
I will, however, absolutely agree that this comment section is extraordinarily dull. "I am guessing it's about a lonely girl"? Really?
Ultimately, quality discussion can stem from nearly any source, even entirely illiterate people (though obviously not online). The ability to identify such a small mistake has far lesser bearing on its owner's utility than...
Ultimately, quality discussion can stem from nearly any source, even entirely illiterate people (though obviously not online). The ability to identify such a small mistake has far lesser bearing on its owner's utility than common sense and logic.
@sawfish666 I don't see devise as an error... The verb devise means to plan, invent, or form in one's mind. Device meaning a machine or tool. A prison formed in one's own mind makes more sense logically, than a prison as a device. Sorry for my pedantry.
@sawfish666 I don't see devise as an error... The verb devise means to plan, invent, or form in one's mind. Device meaning a machine or tool. A prison formed in one's own mind makes more sense logically, than a prison as a device. Sorry for my pedantry.
Now, the really sad thing here is that the lyrics contain an obvious usage mistake: "devise", a verb, (pronounced "dee-vize") meaning "to create" or "to invent" instead of "device", a noun, (pronounced "dee-VICE", as in "he have de vice of gamblin'") meaning something created to perform a specific purpose.
"You are locked in a prison of your own device."
And guess what: ain't no one here spotted this and they even proliferated the error by using the same incorrect term in their comments.
And of course, the phrase "of one's own device" is in very common literary usage to make an ironic observation that one has been screwed by one's very own actions--a lot like the phrase "hoist with one's own petard".
Ultimately, we are treated to the comic spectacle of folk working seriously to interpret a fairly literate lyric, and these same folk can't spot a simple spelling/usage error. I try to be as tolerant and democratic as the next man, but until you can spot this sort of error, you have not yet acquired the price of admission to participate in serious discussion.
@sawfish666 HAHA, good work. Everyone is sloppy these days.
@sawfish666 HAHA, good work. Everyone is sloppy these days.
@sawfish666 You are certainly unique in your arbitrarity. I can't help but wonder how you came to believe that the accidental (and probably resultative of the bandwagon effect) substitution of a single letter merits complete disqualification from the entire realm of logical discussion.
@sawfish666 You are certainly unique in your arbitrarity. I can't help but wonder how you came to believe that the accidental (and probably resultative of the bandwagon effect) substitution of a single letter merits complete disqualification from the entire realm of logical discussion.
I will, however, absolutely agree that this comment section is extraordinarily dull. "I am guessing it's about a lonely girl"? Really?
I will, however, absolutely agree that this comment section is extraordinarily dull. "I am guessing it's about a lonely girl"? Really?
Ultimately, quality discussion can stem from nearly any source, even entirely illiterate people (though obviously not online). The ability to identify such a small mistake has far lesser bearing on its owner's utility than...
Ultimately, quality discussion can stem from nearly any source, even entirely illiterate people (though obviously not online). The ability to identify such a small mistake has far lesser bearing on its owner's utility than common sense and logic.
@sawfish666 I don't see devise as an error... The verb devise means to plan, invent, or form in one's mind. Device meaning a machine or tool. A prison formed in one's own mind makes more sense logically, than a prison as a device. Sorry for my pedantry.
@sawfish666 I don't see devise as an error... The verb devise means to plan, invent, or form in one's mind. Device meaning a machine or tool. A prison formed in one's own mind makes more sense logically, than a prison as a device. Sorry for my pedantry.