I’ve recently found that many people like to use the word “Revert” in their office place. I’m not sure if this is a phenomena  exclusive to Singapore offices but I find it mildly irritating that so many people are using this word in the wrong context and no one realizes it. This is even more intolerable than speaking Singlish – at least Singlish has a standard form, of sorts.

The wrong way to use “Revert”:

Can you OT tonight? Please revert to me ASAP.

The right way to use “Revert” from www.dictionary.com:
1. to return to a former habit, practice, belief, condition, etc.: They reverted to the ways of their forefathers.
2. Law. to go back to or return to the former owner or to his or her heirs.
3. Biology. to return to an earlier or primitive type.
4. to go back in thought or discussion: He constantly reverted to his childhood.
–noun
5. a person or thing that reverts.
6. Law. a reversion.

So think twice before using that word in your office place again.

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1. “Can you OT tonight? Please revert to me ASAP”

   *poom*

   *changes into you*

   Comment by nocturne — March 11, 2008 @ 12:36 am

    

2. LOL

   you’re so cute

   Comment by Priss — March 11, 2008 @ 12:48 am

    

3. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with ther word “revert”. I use it fairly regularly in my formal correspondences. But, I would like to believe that I’ve been employing the use of the qord appropriately and correctly…..

   There’s nothing quite as irritating and annoying than proper English sentences blatantly butchered and/or words used improperly………

   It is truly pathetic that while we pride ourselves being good in the English language, I still notice elementary mistakes made by many of my colleagues some of whom are university graduates no less!Granted that it is human to err from time to time but if the mistakes are committed on a habitual basis, one has to be suspicious………

   Comment by champagne — March 11, 2008 @ 11:09 am

    

4. Thanks for your information, but do take note of your English too!

   “this is a phenomena is exclusive to”
   >>
   “this is a phenomena exclusive to”

   “many people is using”
   >>
   “many people are using”

   Comment by EnglishExpert — March 11, 2008 @ 11:29 am

    

5. I think there are still many “Singlish” words out there.Haha

   Comment by John — March 11, 2008 @ 2:24 pm

    

6. I always wonder why can’t they just say “get back” instead.

   Comment by Kenny — March 11, 2008 @ 2:38 pm

    

7. it happens in the SAF too, i think it’s these regulars who brought it out into the real world..

   Comment by surprise — March 11, 2008 @ 3:15 pm

    

8. i find that irritating too.

   what’s worse, most people actually say ‘revert BACK’ which makes it doubly bad. revert means go back to, and back means well, back. so ‘revert back to me’ would mean… go back to back to me?

   haha.

   and also, people should stop using the world irregardless.

   IT DOES NOT EXIST.

   it’s just regardless!

   Comment by Daphne Maia — March 11, 2008 @ 3:57 pm

    

9. Yeah, the thing is my English isn’t fantastic.. so I make a point to check up words I’m uncertain of so I don’t make silly mistakes….

   which was why I decided to find the meaning of “revert” before using it in the office..

   Comment by Priss — March 11, 2008 @ 4:35 pm

    

10. Bugs the heck out of me too. Now if anyone uses that word on me, I copy and paste the definition back in my reply email.

    Comment by jin — March 11, 2008 @ 7:36 pm

     

11. Heh reminds me of a joke about the words “inflammable” and “flammable”.

    It was a comedy skit, and the comedian says:

    “I give up. Just tell me whether it flams or not!”

    hahahaha!

    Comment by FoxTwo — March 11, 2008 @ 7:51 pm

     

12. I used to get this word too. But I find the word is a little “misused” and “overused” like you’ve pointed out in your post. Well, Singaporeans are trying to “sound professional”. Well, at least they tried!

    Comment by Yusri — March 11, 2008 @ 9:49 pm

     

13. Amen. Amen. It was a rude shock after living abroad for 6 years. It’s like a huge sign saying “Welcome to Bad Grammar Country.” Revert? Revert to what?

    Comment by pmg — March 14, 2008 @ 4:11 pm

     

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