PIED TYPE
language
Education is infrastructure, too
I was just reading comments on another blog, and the editor in me got pinged — again. (Yes, it’s a curse. I retired, but my brain didn’t.) This time it was the spelling “infistructure” used in an otherwise well-written paragraph that also included words such as “stipulation” and “verification.” Not likely to have been a … Continue reading
‘Interim’ is a 3-syllable word meaning interval
Okay, I have to say this now before I explode. Jon Stewart just said “in-term” when he meant “interim.” Why do so many people on TV get that wrong!? I’m distressed that my beloved Jon Stewart is one of the unfortunate misinformed. “Interim” is a 3-syllable word meaning the interval of time between two events. … Continue reading
Can you identify this word cloud? – #3
No hints on this one, but you shouldn’t need any. Thanks to wordle.net for making this word cloud possible.
Typo? What typo?
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William F. Buckley Jr. dead at 82
William F. Buckley, Jr., 82, was found dead in his study this morning, and I am deeply saddened. The arch conservative commentator and author was a notable in my world for as long as I can remember. From my first presidential election, when I voted for Barry Goldwater, through my votes for Al Gore and John Kerry, to … Continue reading
There is no constitutional right to bear arms
The Second Amendment to the U.S. Constitution says: A well regulated Militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear Arms, shall not be infringed. As an editor, I can interpret this only one way: the framers of the Constitution meant to ensure that the … Continue reading
Candidates should avoid ‘royal we’
Am I the only one annoyed when presidential candidates refer to themselves as “we” instead of “I“? For example: “We will continue to work hard in New Hampshire…” The usage is known as the “royal we“ or “editorial we“ and the speakers may be doing it out of habit, or in deference to their campaign … Continue reading
We call them ‘illegals’ because they are
In Tuesday’s Denver Post, columnist Cindy Rodriquez wrote that, basically, calling illegal immigrants “illegals” is incorrect and misleading and that they should, more accurately, be called “necessary workers” or “essential workers.” Feeling that her logic was seriously flawed, I sent her the following email: You were quite correct in your assertions that our choice of … Continue reading
One soldier does not a troop make
I have a lot of gripes about the grammar used (or misused) by reporters. This one even drew Andy Rooney’s ire a few weeks ago: Troop: A troop is a group of solders, like a company or a division. It is not just one soldier. Therefore it is incorrect to say “Three American troops died … Continue reading
Bush: Help is on the way
“Help is on the way.” President Bush says that a lot. And every time he does, sadly, I’m reminded of the old jokes “the check is in the mail” and “we’re from the government and we’re here to help.”
Grammatical peeves
Verbification. Coining a verb from a noun. It makes any English purist shudder. I’d like to strangle those who originated or help perpetuate these: Summit: To reach the top of a mountain, to reach the summit. Medal or podium: To earn a medal in a competition, which often means you get to stand on a … Continue reading
English ala Bush
Please, Mr. Bush, stop embarrassing yourself in public!! There is a difference between persecution and prosecution and most college-educated people know the difference. You embarrass me and the country with mistakes like that in your prepared speeches. Use your speechwriters, have them double-check your every word, and then stick to the script.
Roe v. Wade
Well, today is the 30th anniversary of Roe v. Wade. I know that because CNN just told me. And for what it’s worth, I will defend to the death a woman’s right to choose. Yes, abortion should be legal in this country. Everywhere, for that matter. Let me emphasize, however, that this makes me neither pro … Continue reading
Editorial curiosity
Lands’ End. Hmm. Was in the “reading room” last night and noticed something for the first time: Lands’ End catalog. Why do they punctuate it that way? Shouldn’t it be Land’s End? Is it a bunch of people named Land? More than one land, or country, coming to an end? Sure, graphically, it’s nice to … Continue reading
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