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Happy Hoosier

(9,318 posts)

25. The usage is changing...

Reply to malaise (Original post)

Fri Nov 21, 2025, 11:55 AM

Nov 21

You are correct that that is the historical use.

However, in the last couple decades, using "hung" for people is gaining acceptance. Kinda like dropping the usage of "whom" is gaining acceptance. Languages evolve. At least, that's what my wife the English Professor says.

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malaise

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DUers please help me out [View all] malaise Nov 21 OP

Objects are "hung." People are "hanged." You are correct. hlthe2b Nov 21 #1

Nope...A person can be hung. llmart Nov 21 #26

According to TSF, so was Arnold Palmer.... Sogo Nov 21 #28

Yeah.. but someone already beat you (BEAT YOU) to that alternate... hlthe2b Nov 21 #32

If one says someone is hung, that is a compliment, not a death sentence. tblue37 Nov 21 #2

Bwaaaaah malaise Nov 21 #3

oh dear gawd i didnt even think of that! samnsara Nov 21 #7

Am I bad because I did think of that? llmart Nov 21 #24

I'm hanging my head in embarrassment! (n/t) PJMcK Nov 21 #16

I retain use of 'hanged' EYESORE 9001 Nov 21 #4

The British media is not immune to getting things wrong in English muriel_volestrangler Nov 21 #5

Sounds like my mother malaise Nov 21 #15

people are hanged samnsara Nov 21 #6

sticked? (n/t) PJMcK Nov 21 #17

I had Miss Horn in eighth grade. Tom Dyer Nov 21 #8

I'm on the language spectrum. multigraincracker Nov 21 #9

The only people who are hung SocialDemocrat61 Nov 21 #10

;-{) hanged/hung Goonch Nov 21 #11

I'm with you on this, and I also can't get over how "snuck" Tanuki Nov 21 #12

I can't get over how simple past is used for past participle RazorbackExpat Nov 21 #29

K&R spanone Nov 21 #13

I had a long conversation with my high school English teacher PJMcK Nov 21 #14

In journalism, people are hanged. In real life, some men are hung.... allegorical oracle Nov 21 #18

You are correct. I stick by this rule, but it still sounds awkward to me. Lucky Luciano Nov 21 #19

I always thought it was hanged, as in 'hanged by the neck until dead.' n/t PatrickforB Nov 21 #20

"They said you was hung!" JoseBalow Nov 21 #21

You win the thread malaise Nov 21 #30

I'd like to help you out. Which way did you come in? usonian Nov 21 #22

Do you hang up a phone or hung it up?? madinmaryland Nov 21 #23

The usage is changing... Happy Hoosier Nov 21 #25

Good point malaise Nov 21 #31

Things change ForgedCrank Nov 21 #27

WTH does "finna" mean? 3catwoman3 Nov 21 #35

Well, based ForgedCrank Nov 21 #38

It's an elision of "fixing to, " Tanuki Nov 23 #40

You're right. And don't get me started on "with he and I." Scrivener7 Nov 21 #33

"Hanged" is correct, but it's not like today's fascist friendly media is known for their intelligence. W_HAMILTON Nov 21 #34

"They was right" TheProle Nov 21 #36

Bwaaaaah - Hahaha malaise Nov 21 #37

Humans are hanged, not hung obamanut2012 Nov 21 #39