Notice: This is an Old Man's Rant. Feel free to disregard.
When I grew up, "when" referred to a specific event and "whenever" to an indeterminate or repeated event.
I picked up a pair of sneakers when I went to the store.
I pick up a snickers whenever I go to the store.
The first is a specific event. A specific time I went to the store. The second, is indeterminate and repeated — something that happens every time I go to the store.
And now, it appears, that usage has changed. Leaving this old man to shake his fist at the sky and yell at the clouds, "Curse you youngin's and your newfangled American English!"
I started noticing it with my nieces and nephews. Now I'm seeing it in a lot of youtube videos from authors of a certain age.
I saw him at the store whenever I bought those pants.
I lost my phone whenever I went camping.
Ugggggg!
What the hell is wrong with you! Why can't Johnny speak English rightly?!?
Here ends the Old Man's Rant.
And, yes, I realize this completely contradicts my diary from a year ago, From a Former Grammar Policeman. But I'm a cranky old man and entitled to some venting.
