Use of -er, -est, or 'more fill-in-word'

[mountain5tormhawk]

Ever since the Strongbow Hard Apple Cider came out with their commercial with the "horse running in slow motion on the beach is the bestest', I've wondered about this. Of course best can't be bestest; it annoys me partly because it sounds like they're advertising to 5-year-olds! That's the age when children use words like 'bestest'.

Practically speaking, for correct grammar, would you rewrite that as 'the most best'?

And is there a set of rules that determines when you use a word like 'funniest' vs. 'most funny'? Just last night in the paper, I read that Sen. Bernie Sanders said, "The challenges we face now are direr than any time in our modern history." Is that correct, or would it be better to have said, "... we face now are the most dire than any time ..." OR is something like that just a matter of personal preference?

Thanks.

[Fran]

Ever since the Strongbow Hard Apple Cider came out with their commercial with the "horse running in slow motion on the beach is the bestest', I've wondered about this. Of course best can't be bestest; it annoys me partly because it sounds like they're advertising to 5-year-olds! That's the age when children use words like 'bestest'.

Practically speaking, for correct grammar, would you rewrite that as 'the most best'?

And is there a set of rules that determines when you use a word like 'funniest' vs. 'most funny'? Just last night in the paper, I read that Sen. Bernie Sanders said, "The challenges we face now are direr than any time in our modern history." Is that correct, or would it be better to have said, "... we face now are the most dire than any time ..." OR is something like that just a matter of personal preference?

Thanks.

I like the word "bestest" .... reminds me of little kids and their explosive enthusiasm.
I certainly wouldn't rewrite it as "the most best" - something is either the best or it isn't, there is no such thing as most best or indeed bestest (but I still want to keep 'bestest')
'Direr' doesn't sound right either but far be it from me to correct Sen Sanders.
I think what you are referring to are called comparatives & superlatives and our esteemed member, moderntimes, is the bestest in the areas of grammar rules & all things writerly - moderntimes over to you.

[DATo]

I agree with Fran. The term most best employes a dual superlative which is just as wrong as a dual negative.

Watch this comedy video of Father Guido Sarducci. In it he refers to the term ever and ever which sort of illustrates the point

youtube.com/watch?v=e7ykYHwG5i4&lis ... UwoKffp4tT

[secarsuwor]

i like bestest bro hehe

[moderntimes]

Correct would be "more dire" or "most dire" of course.

I guffaw whenever I hear the ATT commercial which touts their internet as having "fast speed". Arrgh.

[TanyaShh]

I understand why you are annoyed by the "bestest"word because I feel the same with the McDonalds' logo "I'm Loving it". Anyway, back to the main topic - I perceived the difference between -er/-est or more/most when my English teacher told me for short words we usually should use -er/-est and long ones refer to more/most. Hope this info is useful to you.

[Goms]

I think 'bestest' was used on purpose to attract attention. Like you said it's an advert and the goal is to get people to listen and hopefully buy.

[Unicorn]

Actually 'bestest' as well as 'betterest' are both correct in Scottish, Irish, and Welsh English

One assumes it is only incorrect in American and British English? (I am Scottish and not familiar with either American or British English, so I do not know the rules of either, so I don't know.)

I do not know the ad or the company in question. Is Strongbow Hard Apple Cider an Irish, Scottish, or Welsh company? Or was the ad promoting beer intended to 'be' or 'mimic' Scottish, Irish, and Welsh? If so, then it is a very logical move for the company to use the correct language/phraseologies of the culture they are advertising.

---------

ETA:

Okay, I just did a Google search for the company and the ad, and learned that the ad in question was aimed at an Irish market, so, yes, they were correct to use Irish English in their ad. I applaud them for being considerate to speakings of "minority" English forms.

[moderntimes]

Agreed. If we were to delete all the grammatical errors in advertising, it would be silent.

Maybe that's not such a bad idea?

[ramblinggnomes]

In regards to unicorns post, I am English and I recall having heard it used quite a lot amongst the Scottish, I can´t comment on Irish or Welsh. Amongst English people, I´ve heard it used but it´s not considered correct. It tends to be used to show enthusiasm in a childlike way.
I , of course, can´t speak for every English person. My grandma can´t conjugate the verb "to be" correctly so who knows!