Query: "on accident"

[Douglas G. Wilson]

I inquired of a 12-year-old local student of my acquaintance. Here's how I
recall the responses.

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[Do your friends say "on accident", like "on purpose"?]

All the time. Even adults say it sometimes.

[Do your friends say "by accident" too?]

Yes. Sometimes the same person will switch back and forth.

[Do you say "on accident" yourself?]

I don't think so ... but maybe sometimes.

[Do you ever hear "on mistake"?]

No.

[Do your friends think "on accident" is 'correct' English? Would they use
this in a formal speech?]

I don't know. Hey, do you ever hear "drawling" for "drawing"? Some of my
friends say that.

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Another data point ... uh, datum point ... uh ....

-- Doug Wilson