what do you say?

[masquedbunny]

So today I'm wondering about regional or age-based idioms. Well, one in particular.

"By accident" versus "on accident"

I always heard and read "by accident" when I was growing up; but, after travelling and living in different places, I've heard both phrases used by young and old people, possessing a higher education or not. And everyone has their

Comments

[signaldancer]

by accident if i use either.

Ie it happened by accident!

But i usually dont phrase things that way. It's more along the lines of I didn't do it on purpose, or I didnt mean to do that. I just dont use the word accident very much. And i never thought about it till you posted.

[masquedbunny]

It's not a phrase I've had reason to use much either. But when I do hear it or read it, it's easier for me to accept "by accident" as the proper phrasing.

[nik1010]

I don't know that I use "by accident" much myself either, but I don't believe I've ever even heard someone say "on accident". That sounds weird to my ear.

[masquedbunny]

I hear and read "on accident" more often from Midwesterners than anyone else, honestly. It sounded very weird the first time I heard it, too, but a lot of people accept is as being perfectly correct.