linguistic pet peeves #1

I have a lot of linguistic pet peeves. Today, I detail one of them. The phrase "For all intents and purposes" is frequently mispronounced "For all intensive purposes". This bugs me extensively, as there is no such thing as an intensive purpose. The distinction between intent and purpose is nuanced, but intent involves planned action and purpose involves final goal, so something that is appropriate "For all intents and purposes" indicates that it can be considered appropriate for both short term plans and long term goals. Thus the phrase indicates the ability for something to be considered to have a characteristic as part of a system of future assumptions.

So, to sum up, say "for all intensive purposes" to me and I will inflict bodily harm upon you.