Everyone vs. everybody

[mynameisben]

Everyone vs. everybody. Does the distinction really matter, or is choosing between the two just a coin flip decision?


Ben

 

[SamScribble]

Everyone vs. everybody. Does the distinction really matter, or is choosing between the two just a coin flip decision?

Ben

I think they're pretty interchangeable, aren't they, Ben? Sometimes, one just 'sounds' better than the other.

 

[SimonDoom]

They mean the same thing and are interchangeable; however, "everyone" is, I think, a little more formal, and just a bit more appropriate in written form, while "everybody" is more likely to be something people say in everyday speech. I would be inclined to use "everyone" in nonfiction prose and in most narratives, and I would use "everybody" in dialogue.

 

[KeithD]

Whatever.

 

[mynameisben]

I think they're pretty interchangeable, aren't they, Ben? Sometimes, one just 'sounds' better than the other.

I've been using the 'sounds better' criterion for as long as I can remember. It may well be that is all there is to it. Still, I'm interested in others' thoughts on the matter.


Ben

 

[mynameisben]

They mean the same thing and are interchangeable; however, "everyone" is, I think, a little more formal, and just a bit more appropriate in written form, while "everybody" is more likely to be something people say in everyday speech. I would be inclined to use "everyone" in nonfiction prose and in most narratives, and I would use "everybody" in dialogue.

I don't know if I can agree with that, but it is worthy of consideration.


Ben

 

[NotWise]

I don't know if I can agree with that, but it is worthy of consideration.


Ben

The distinction between formal/informal or written/verbal usage that Simon pointed out is exactly how the Collins dictionary drew the distinction here.

 

[KeithD]

I'd probably consider the character/narrator using the word. For someone soft-spoken/refined, "everyone"; for someone brassy, "everybody."

 

[SimonDoom]

I don't know if I can agree with that, but it is worthy of consideration.


Ben

But not much.

For Literotica purposes, it's totally academic. Noone (or should that be "nobody"?) will care.

In any other context, it's unlikely that any proofreading apps like Grammarly will correct you if you use one or the other.

If I were writing an academic paper, or a business memorandum, or a legal brief, I'd probably use "everyone," assuming I gave it any thought. But in fiction, I wouldn't think about it much, if at all.

 

[LAHomedog]

Isn't this a function of how your character talks? It's like well vs. good. There are grammatical rules on use, but in this day and age people misuse good all the time. (Especially on sports commentary.)

In this example how does the character talk? Speak properly or misuse the words?

You're creating personality for your character.

 

[mynameisben]

The distinction between formal/informal or written/verbal usage that Simon pointed out is exactly how the Collins dictionary drew the distinction here.

The Collins Dictionary reference you provide has this to say about the matter:

"There is no difference in meaning between everyone and everybody, but everyone is more common in written English, and everybody is more common in spoken English."


I accept the first part of Collins' statement without question; there is no difference in meaning. But I have my doubts about the part of their statement that addresses the commonality in written vs. spoken English. I would think commonality depends greatly on where the speaking is taking place. Collins Dictionary is compiled in Scotland, and I don't speak in Scotland and neither do any of my characters.

I'm still of the opinion that any difference between Everyone and Everybody is splitting hairs so fine, it just doesn't matter. And that KeithD said it best. "Whatever."


Ben

 

[SisterJezabel]

If Backstreet's back it has to be everybody. Alright?

 

[Rustyoznail]

If Backstreet's back it has to be everybody. Alright?

NOOOOO!!!!!!

 

[Bramblethorn]

If Backstreet's back it has to be everybody. Alright?

Absolutely. "Everyone, rock your body" just doesn't have the same zing.

 

[oggbashan]

My take is that everyone is all except you; everybody includes the speaker/narrator.

 

[windar]

If you had a disembodied head in the story they would be included in everyone, but not in everybody...

 

[BiscuitHammer]

I tend to use 'everyone' when a speaker has a more formal speech pattern or when writing a collective pronoun.

I use 'everybody' when referencing the Blues Brothers.

My countess Jenny Penrose will use 'everyone' in her speech. A yokel would use 'everybody'. This is by no means a hard and fast rule, since Jenny also says 'Oi!' or 'arse' when you piss her off. But it does help me establish general patterns of formality it people's speech.

 

[TadOverdon]

Noone (or should that be "nobody"?) will care.

Why does Noone care? No one else does.

I'll throw in with formal/informal. I use "everyone" in narration and "everybody," sometimes, in dialogue.

 

[SimonDoom]

Why does Noone care? No one else does.

I'll throw in with formal/informal. I use "everyone" in narration and "everybody," sometimes, in dialogue.

I must have been thinking about Herman's Hermits when I wrote that.

 

[TadOverdon]

Isn't "synonym" just a delightful word to look at on a page?

 

[jehoram]

If you're writing a poem or a song, whatever fits the meter better.

If you're writing prose, it makes no difference.

But Ogg's distinction reflects something I read about a similar distinction in Pidjin English, where "mifela" means "we/us but not you" and "yumi" means "we/us including you." According to my source, that's an important distinction in Melanesian languages, from whence many of Pidjin's idioms come from.

 

[mynameisben]

I must have been thinking about Herman's Hermits when I wrote that.

I'm familiar with Herman's Hermits, but this reference is lost on me.


Ben

 

[rjordan]

Isn't "synonym" just a delightful word to look at on a page?

Almost a palindrome.

Mynonym is a palindrome and means a synonym for palindrome (in some circles).

rj

 

[mynameisben]

Almost a palindrome.

Mynonym is a palindrome and means a synonym for palindrome (in some circles).

rj

The word "A" is a palindrome, but it impresses very few.


Ben

 

[Bramblethorn]

Why does Noone care? No one else does.

I'll throw in with formal/informal. I use "everyone" in narration and "everybody," sometimes, in dialogue.

I'm familiar with Herman's Hermits, but this reference is lost on me.


Ben

Who was "Herman"? Noone, that's who.