When did it become acceptable to use words like "stupider" instead of "more stupid"?

I think you're making a mountain out of a molehill.

Both are acceptable, technically. Your English teacher was just giving you the standard preference for academic English (which, as you know, is different from spoken English), but she/he didn't go on to explain, hence your frustration.

Here's the rule on forming comparatives: The -er ending is to be used for words of two syllables or less. For those words that are three syllables or more, the general rule is to use "more" (or "less") instead of the -er ending. (The only exception to the rule is substituting "better" for "gooder," "worse" for "badder.")

The only other reason for this rule is just basic pronunciation, nothing earth-shattering! :) For instance, you would say "more engaging," not "engaginger" because it's easier to pronounce (due to the three syllables rule). Conversely, you would say, "cooler" rather than "more cool" because ir's easier to pronounce (due to the two syllables rule).

The only other exception would be emphasis, as in: "No, dummy, I'm saying that this English is MORE easy than Math, not less!" (Or whatever, you get my meaning.)

Otherwise, words like stupider and funner are "legal," by grammatical definition since they fall under the two syllable rule. But I wouldn't advise them in written or formal/academic situations.

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Now, to answer your questions:

1. No, your time in school was not wasted with so much correction.

2. As for "mauling" the English language, there are two ways of looking at it: prescriptively or descriptively. You are in the prescriptive camp (the follow-the-rules people). The descriptive camp looks at how language is actually spoken and used. Both viewpoints have merit.

3. There IS continuity in education; the divide is the disparaties between spoken and written language. Spoken English and written English are different because they are two different media and have different audiences in mind. The spoken word can get away with breaking the rules more, especially since body language can supplement meaning and because the type you are talking about is informal communication. The written word is formal (hence, rules apply).

4. Don't even get this former teacher started on educational accountability! LOL :)

5. I would agree that rules should be reinforced throughout school and home, and I think they are (at least in my experience as a teacher). But I think it's important to remember that we have academic English and common English.

Let's say the prescriptivists rule the day, and everyone must speak as formally as they write: Wouldn't it be strange to have people wandering the streets asking, "To where am I going? To whom am I speaking? At what time will the world end? What do you mean we are not allowed to use contractions?! I do not know how I will survive! Please, somebody! Give me an infinitive to split or I will go insane! AGH!"

:)

The only answer I can provide is that English is a modern, living language and is in a constant state of evolution. Words change in definition and usage. While I use "more stupid", or "more beautiful" instead of "stupider" or "beautifuller" some people do. The more we hear it, the more acceptable it becomes. Look at the way the objective pronoun "me" has all but disappeared in usages like "Jane gave cookies to Bob and _____." The word on the line should be "me", but so many people stick "I" in there. I don't think too many people would say "Jane gave cookies to I."

I know during my years as an English teacher, I would correct students constantly, and that was fine, but if I corrected an adult, I was given an eyeball roll and the phrase, "what does that matter." It is very frustrating.

I don't think you wasted your time at all. Using the language correctly will set you apart as an educated person. Finally, "English" is a language and as such is a proper noun and should be capitalized.

For someone who is concerned with grammar, you might try capitalizing the word "English" consistently.

No, your time was not wasted. In seeking employment, or just coming across as an intelligent person, your proper use of language will be appreciated. Just take a look around Yahoo Answers; most questions have atrocious grammar and spelling errors, and for that very reason I will not read those questions.

languages evolve, too.

most people forget the rules for comparatives and superlatives. personally, i think it is rude to correct someones grammar as it could embarrass that person. however, i do respond with correct grammar. so if someone were to say to me, "that's stupider..." i would reply "yes, that is more stupid..."

for informal conversations, people who carelessly maul the language get away with it because they are not corrected, or if corrected don't bother to correct themselve in future instances.

furthermore, "stupider" is more "careless grammatical error" than a "mauling of the english language." imo.

I don't know where you hang out, but I haven't heard anyone over age 5 say "stupider". If you associate with educated people you will hear the English language spoken correctly. If you associate with uneducated people, obviously, you'll hear them speak incorrectly. People can tell right away which you are, after speaking to you, so it's best to use appropriate grammer and vocabulary.

I turn on different channels of using the English language. For this site, you will probably find me using "steeeewwwwwpppppid". I want to stress it so I use that variation of the word.

However for my computer classes, I would you a more professional approach. Since Yahoo is a more informal site, I use my informal attitude.

That's why its yours, mine, your teacher's (and everyone else who speaks or tries to speak properly) job to correct people once politely when they make a mistake. The english language does need to be preserved, but there is room for change and growth.

It is not acceptable. Unfortunately, the internet and "IM'ing" generation are not helping the English language! Everyone should read and have a copy of Strunk & White.

language is just a way of comunicating, say watever u want if people understand u then the purpose of saying it was acheived