Thanks to predictive and auto-correct features in smart phones, texting is much easier and faster. While the former assists by suggesting words that you may intend typing, the latter takes command in its own hand to automatically correct a supposed typing error. However, auto- correct doesn’t always work as intended. There are goofups when phone’s software decides to change a normal text into something very different .You may get ‘corrections’ that are incorrect. While some autocorrect blunders, like changing ‘desert’ into ‘dessert’ can be amusing, others, such as turning ‘meeting’ into ‘mating’ and substituting ‘therapist’ with ‘the rapist’ are appalling.
I have had my fair share of auto-correct goof-ups that could be taken in a lighter vein; however, there have been a couple of glaring auto-correct misadventures that left me red faced.Nothing could be more embarrassing than wishing a dear friend a long life while addressing her dead. This is what happened when I texted greetings to a friend whose birthday was being celebrated with a lot of fanfare in a WhatsApp group. After an hour or so when I opened the group chat-box, to my horror and huge embarrassment, I discovered ‘dear’ turned into ‘dead’. I must have texted the word ‘dear’ umpteen times but never had the ‘correction’ gone so horribly wrong. You can imagine my plight. How I salvaged the situation can be anybody’s guess.
However, that was not the last time I landed in trouble because of loose cannon that auto-correct tends to be, at times. I recall it was yet another celebration, a wedding anniversary of a senior member in a group. You know how birthdays and anniversaries are celebrated in a WhatsApp group – a stream of greetings complete with virtual flowers, cakes and bouquets from everyone. When one member in the group wishes, others must follow. The scenario is typically like that of a cycle stand, when one cycle falls, other cycles must tumble down .
Coming to the auto-correct mishap, no sooner did I wish Mrs Kaushal on a WhatsApp group chat, a message popped up. Taking a dig at me, a friend reminded me that that it was not Mrs Kashyap’s but Mrs Kaushal’s anniversary. How could that be? I couldn’t possibly have wished myself. Once again it was a dirty trick played by auto-correct that conveniently chose to replace Kaushal with Kashyap, my own surname. With due apologies to the intended recipient, I deleted the message and carefully framed another congratulatory message, doubly checked and posted.
I blame crazy auto-correct for the blunders but then, I can’t absolve myself of my responsibility. What was the hurry to shoot the message? I should have checked before posting the message when I had the option to undo auto-correction.
‘Think before you speak’ is a common adage. However, in an age when texting is the new norm, we must add to the wise saying, ‘Check and re-check your message before you press the send button.’
(Published in HT Chandigarh , Guest Column on 27 April 2025 )
Your blogs are always so relatable. Almost every body must have faced this type of situation.
What a relief Madhuri ! I thought I am the only one to land in trouble.
Thanks dear for reading and posting your comment.
Like your other articles this one too is very interesting. Auto correct is normally very helpful in sending messages but sometimes the message becomes amusing or embarrassing.
Thanks dear Mrs Rahi . Huge honour to me that you read and appreciate my articles.
Auto- correct blunders in my case have been too embarrassing to be forgotten. Incidentally, both the misadventures occurred while I was texting in our Laughter group.
Rama very true. In a No. of times this autocorrect has put me in a very difficult and odd position. Especially when you are writing a message in Roman English. Roman English in Army means writing hindi words in English alphabets. That’s where major Gaddar happens. This autocorrect sometimes becomes an unexpected menace.
I can understand the gaddar autocorrect can create.. manmani karta hai aur hamen musibat mein daal deta hai . Ham is par ankush kyon hahin lagate ?
We are the ones who let auto correct haas its way by not checking before posting a message .
Goof ups of autocorrect system in smart phones are many while writing a message .We all have faced it but remained silent . While you have presented it in a very hilarious manner . Kudos to you . .
Thanks dear Mrs Chopra for reading and leaving lovely your comment.
😊😊😊 yes, autocorrect goof ups can be amusing but mine were certainly not. .. left me hugely embarrassed , though now I can join you in laughing at these .
Your article is so relatable. We all face these goofups every other day. Recently I wrote an interview with Dr Ranjana Malik in Hindi. I read it and rechecked it for mistake and I sent it to her for her approval.
I was horrified to see her message after some time. She had politely asked, Alka can we remove the मात्रा in मालिक ? Imagine my mind was also in an auto check mode and I had not noticed this glaring mistake. Thank God , it was not the final thing.
Alka , aapka jawab nahin ! You have put it down so beautifully. Actually it does happen. While checking , our mind also goes into auto checking mode . No wonder , we fail to notice the errors.
Rama dear ,your choice of topics is so simple yet fascinating……follies and stupidities that are relatable become so amusing with the magical touch of your pen dipped in humour! Keep it up…..God bless 🙏
I am struggling with words .. really don’t know how to thank you for the generous compliments put across so beautifully.
The topic is accidental. I wanted to write on the effect of unbridled use of technology and I landed up writing this piece .
Thanks dear Mrs Dhawan for your encouragement and support..means a lot to me .
Rama I also faced this many times.very real article dear
Yes Shashi , the crazy autocorrect is capable of driving us crazy .
Thanks dear for reading and leaving your comment.
Thanks for boldly addressing the problem we all experience. The innovation in selecting the topic to write so skill fully is appreciable ! I always enjoy your crisp writing style !
Keep writing dear Rama !
Thanks Vini for your lovely comment. Frankly, I don’t make a deliberate attempt to choose a topic .. mere saath aise misadventures ho jate hain aur mein likh dalti hain .
Just enjoyed reading ur feature. Quite amusing. Well as they say that a lit lamp illuminates a space, but also creates shadows n area of darkness around. Same way this convenience of auto correct makes us stumble off n on. Liked ur analogy of all cycles falling one by one following the first fallen one.
Keep up👍
Thanks Anshula . Your wonderful comment confirms without an iota of doubt that you are a seasoned writer. 👌👌👌
Dear Rama your article narrates the reality that everyone of us face now and then .
Words of caution in the end are really really worth considering. Yes we must confirm and reconfirm before sending the message. Another meaningful and well written article on a very relevant issue. Proud of you dear.🙏
Thanks my multi-talented friend for many-many years, Neelam , a true gem for your generous compliments.
Yes dear , we ought to check and check mindfully so that we don’t miss the errors.
Reading your experiences of getting out corrections on massage typing on mobile leaves enlightenned n refreshed…
Style of wishing on anniversaries on WhatsApp group is like falling of cycles on bus stand… Catches truth so brilliantly… Just loved it…
So small n strong n magical instrument it can be as you write about… Meeting into mating.. Dear into dead n kaushal into kashyap… Your craft catches impacts deeply n minutely….
Your whole fabric amuses heart reading suggestions of rechecking n slowing down sending massages dealing this menance….
Be blessed always with more n more truth catching writings.. ❤
Thanks di for always encouraging me with your generous compliments. Always a delight reading your feedback. Love the way you respond – dil se .
🤗🥰
Ma’am,I this is an interesting,humorous write up and message to convey.
Thanks ,edit option is also available now.
I remember,when I was in primary school lot of stress was paid on proper spellings,grammar and good handwriting.Everything is hi tech these days .
Well said Garima . Edit option comes to our rescue when autocorrect puts us in embarrassing situations.
You are right texting is much easier now . You don’t have to bother about grammar and spellings . Technology helps you out . And yes, handwriting doesn’t matter in the digital world.
Dear Rama ji
The topic is simple but your pen has made it soecial.It makes an extremely intetesting reading.He are blessed with art of choosing right words and expressions.Enjoy this bliss for ever
Thanks ma’am for your blessings.
Ever grateful!🙏🙏