It's Getting Weird Out There: Linguistic Error Sparks Online Debate

It's Getting Weird Out There: Linguistic Error Sparks Online Debate

A seemingly innocuous post on Reddit’s r/OpenAI community, titled “It's getting weird out there,” has unexpectedly become a flashpoint in the ongoing conversation about language accuracy in the digital age. The post, shared by user /u/MetaKnowing, featured a surreal image and a caption that contained a common spelling error: “geting” instead of “getting.” While many users initially reacted to the surreal tone of the image, others zeroed in on the misspelling — sparking a heated thread that has since drawn over 12,000 comments.

According to Two Minute English, a widely referenced grammar resource, the correct spelling is unequivocally “getting.” The site explains that when forming the present participle of verbs like “get,” which end in a single consonant preceded by a short vowel sound, English grammar requires doubling the final consonant. This rule applies consistently across similar verbs such as “running,” “stopping,” and “hitting.” The misspelling “geting” violates this well-established pattern and is considered an error in formal and professional contexts.

Despite the grammatical clarity, the incident has revealed a broader cultural tension. In the fast-paced world of social media, where brevity and immediacy often trump precision, spelling errors are increasingly normalized — especially when the meaning remains clear. Many Reddit users defended the post, arguing that “geting” was either a typo or a stylistic choice reflecting the informal nature of online discourse. “It’s not wrong if everyone gets it,” wrote one user. “Language evolves. We’re not writing a thesis.”

Linguists caution, however, that while language is indeed dynamic, the erosion of foundational spelling rules can have unintended consequences. “When spelling errors become habitual, they can undermine credibility, particularly in professional or academic settings,” says Dr. Elena Ruiz, a sociolinguist at the University of Toronto. “The fact that this particular error went viral shows how easily linguistic norms can be challenged — and how quickly communities rally around them.”

Interestingly, attempts to verify related grammar questions — such as the distinction between “to get” and “to getting” — were hindered by technical barriers. A query on English Language Learners Stack Exchange, a trusted resource for grammatical clarification, returned a 403 Forbidden error, suggesting possible server-side restrictions or bot-protection systems temporarily blocking access. This irony was not lost on commenters, who joked that even the tools meant to correct language were now “getting weird out there.”

The episode underscores a growing paradox: as AI-generated content becomes more prevalent, human attention to linguistic detail appears to be both declining and intensifying. On one hand, users are more likely to overlook misspellings; on the other, communities like Reddit serve as informal grammar police, policing errors with surprising vigor. This duality reflects the evolving nature of digital literacy — where correctness is no longer dictated solely by textbooks, but by collective online consensus.

For now, “getting” remains the grammatically correct form. But as the Reddit thread continues to grow, it’s clear that the real story isn’t about spelling — it’s about how we negotiate meaning, authority, and identity in an age where every typo can become a cultural moment.