Linguistic professors - worse to worst or worst to worst etc

[nzmusclemonster]

This is causing heated debate at my workplace......

[dr.chimps]

Usually 'worse to worst' because of the obvious progression. The thing with English is that it is a bastard language and is always changing. 

[Tapeworm]

Uh oh.  This doesn't sound good.  Curiouser and curiouser.

[nzmusclemonster]

Usually 'worse to worst' because of the obvious progression. The thing with English is that it is a bastard language and is always changing. 

To me that is the obvious answer, but some people are coming up with all kinds of things.

[dr.chimps]

Uh oh.  This doesn't sound good.  Curiouser and curiouser.

Hi Alice. What's shaking?

[Palpatine Q]

Isn't the common saying "from bad to worse" ?

I never hear people say "from worse to worst"

[MikMaq]

I prefer to say from worst to worser I hope that helps.

[Tapeworm]

Hi Alice. What's shaking?

The fourth cup of coffee like a hummingbird's tits.

[dr.chimps]

To me that is the obvious answer, but some people are coming up with all kinds of things.

The OED people are still looking for first uses/examples and William Safire used to print columns on getting usage wrong, so don't sweat it. Depends on what, or how the word/s are being used - ie. academic paper, fiction, orally. In a bar, and trying to settle a bet? Good luck - just order another round and change the subject.  

[nzmusclemonster]

The OED people are still looking for first uses/examples and William Safire used to print columns on getting usage wrong, so don't sweat it. Depends on what, or how the word/s are being used - ie. academic paper, fiction, orally. In a bar, and trying to settle a bet? Good luck - just order another round and change the subject.  

I was emailing someone and asked a colleague what he would use. Oh boy did I open a can of worms!

[nzmusclemonster]

Isn't the common saying "from bad to worse" ?

I never hear people say "from worse to worst"

Bad to worse is more used in past tense I would suggest. Such as, "Things have gone from bad to worse"

worse to worst would be speaking about potential for a future event, eg "if worse comes to worst tbombz will suck off 12 Ugandan sailors..."

[El Diablo Blanco]

I misremembered which one.

[MikMaq]

Bad to worse is more used in past tense I would suggest. Such as, "Things have gone from bad to worse"

worse to worst would be speaking about potential for a future event, eg "if worse comes to worst tbombz will suck off 12 Ugandan sailors..."

So you totally fucked up the phrasing of a the question good job fuck nuts.

Ordinarily I couldn`t give a fuck about phrasing, but when you ask for the correct way to do something, and it`s something that makes no sense eat shit.

[arce1988]

  it got worse... now it is the worst

[Tapeworm]

I am literally going from strength to strength.  It's a win/win.

[Palpatine Q]

Bad to worse is more used in past tense I would suggest. Such as, "Things have gone from bad to worse"

worse to worst would be speaking about potential for a future event, eg "if worse comes to worst tbombz will suck off 12 Ugandan sailors..."

gotcha. yeah I say "worse comes to worse".....it's just a saying, not to be taken literal IMO

eg......."worse comes to worse, Wiggs can photoshop his head onto a good physique and trick girls on POF if he keeps striking out"

[littledumbells]

I go with bad to worse. "Worst" has to much finality to it. Someone somewhere is always able to take things to a new low. "Worse" leaves things open ended for the inevitable new "worst"