Please state in which country your phrase tends to be used, what the phrase is, and what it should be.
Example:
In America, recently came across “back-petal”, instead of back-pedal. Also, still hearing “for all intensive purposes” instead of “for all intents and purposes”.
If you claim to be someone’s friend, there is a small obligation & duty to try & keep them from embarrassment. I have tried. 🫠
I am serious, this man is 33. I have in the most friendly of ways stopped our private conversation (no one else was around), and I said very pointedly: “You keep saying Pacific. You mean to say specific.” I think I’ve even done it on two separate occasions. He sheepishly smiles and says, “Uh, yeah” and we continue talking because I’m not going to be a total dick about it.
The man hasn’t ever claimed to be much of a scholar (he isn’t), and he’s got depth of knowledge on other things & he’s my friend. But every time he randomly says Pacific instead of specific my brain goes fuuuuuuuuuuck, dude, whyyyyyyyy? Thankfully that word doesn’t come up much organically; he said it a week & a half ago. Before that it’s been many months. A small price to pay for a lovely friendship.
I see. It sounds like it’s deeply ingrained then. I think you’ve more than done your job and it’s all you can do.