"Lighted" vs. "Lit"

[KornGeek]

I overheard a co-worker complaining about reading something that recommended parking in a "well-lighted" area. He feels it should be "well-lit", and describes the word choice as "horrible".

Which is the correct word to use in this context and why?

If "well-lighted" is correct, how could I explain this to my co-worker?

 

[jet042]

It looks like neither is better than the other.

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/light.html

http://www.bartleby.com/64/C003/0197.html

 

[jet042]

I'm glad you asked this question as searching for the answer allowed me to find a valuable resource. Here is a good list of common errors in English:

http://www.wsu.edu/~brians/errors/errors.html

 

[AnotherHiggins]

I once worked with a girl who practically laughed at me when I used the word "highlighted".

She thought I should have said, "highlit".

And she was condescending about it, too.

She explained to me that "lighted" is not a word, and therefore "highlighted" must not be a word, either.

I just love dumb people who think they're very smart.

[tt][blue]-John[/blue][/tt]
[tab][red]The plural of anecdote is not data[/red]

Help us help you. Please read FAQ 181-2886 before posting.

 

[GSCaupling]

John,

A friend of mine once dated a girl who thought cream soda had to be refrigerated because the "cream" would go bad otherwise. She wasn't even lit when she said it (I'm trying to stay on topic here...)

GS

[small][navy]**********************^*********************
I always know where people are going to sit. I'm chairvoyant.[/navy][/small]

 

[kjv1611]

She thought I should have said, "highlit".

Well, was she speaking of your coloring of text on paper, or was she speaking of your time sniffing the highlighter?

[ROFL2]

--

"If to err is human, then I must be some kind of human!" -Me

 

[gbaughma]

Hmmm.....

"My dad got lit every Christmas"...

"My dad got lighted every Christmas"....

"My dad got lit so much, that when he died, the crematorium just lighted his toe"....



Just my 2¢

"What the captain doesn't realize is that we've secretly replaced his Dilithium Crystals with new Folger's Crystals."

--Greg

http://parallel.tzo.com

 

[acl03]

jet042....that list is great.

It reminded me of my biggest pet peeve, when people replace "no one" with "noone".

Thanks,
Andrew

Hard work often pays off over time, but procrastination pays off right now!

 

[KenCunningham]

Reminds me of 'The Fleet's Lit Up' at the Spithead Review:

http://www.historyworld.net/Articles/PlainTextArticles.asp?aid=zad&pid=713

I want to be good, is that not enough?

 

[BobRodes]

It reminded me of my biggest pet peeve, when people replace "no one" with "noone".

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
wish by spirit and if by yes.


Say it ain't so....

 

[LeeMcCauslin]

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)

My wife would still thrill to a kiss from him. ;-)

"Dyin'? Boy, He can have this little life any time He wants to. Do Ya hear that? Are ya hearin' it? Come on. You're welcome to it, Ol' Timer. Let me know You're up there. Come on. Love me, hate me, kill me, anything. Just let me know it... I'm just standin' in the rain talkin' to myself."

 

[BobRodes]

Tell me that isn't Peter Noone....

 

[KenCunningham]

Yep - but he's obviously had his teeth sorted (well, kind of).

I want to be good, is that not enough?

 

[LeeMcCauslin]

She would have kissed him crooked teeth or not. But I don't mind - she says if Brad and Angelina are Ok with it I can kiss Miss Jolie.

*crosses fingers*

"Dyin'? Boy, He can have this little life any time He wants to. Do Ya hear that? Are ya hearin' it? Come on. You're welcome to it, Ol' Timer. Let me know You're up there. Come on. Love me, hate me, kill me, anything. Just let me know it... I'm just standin' in the rain talkin' to myself."

 

[2ffat]

I heard this on the radio this morning:

...and the roof had falled to the floor.

James P. Cottingham
^{I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229!}

 

[GwydionM]

I checked the Oxford English Dictionary; 'lit' seems to be a 19th century form and 'lighted' is more correct. Both are valid.

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An old man who lives in the UK