Tuesday, May 13, 2008
I'm a cliche!
All my attempts to distance myself from whiteness have failed, apparently. I am not kidding or exaggerating when I say that I lecture either BD or SAM on the virtues of the Oxford comma at least once a week. In my defense, it's usually when asked to edit something they've written, or when they're forced, reluctantly, to remind me that I can't use my beloved Oxford when I'm supposed to be employing journalistic style. This usually sends me off on a rant about how journalistic style is barbaric writing for the illiterate. Because I am that person.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
10 comments:
I am a big fan of the Oxford comma too, but I don't get so angry about the journalistic style of writing. Simmer down, Sassy!
My boss and I collaborate on legal documents all the time. She(a former journalist) never uses enough commas to separate clauses and lists. I add them and she takes them out.
i use it all the time. i just didn't know the name.
I'm a fan of it as well. I didn't know there was a name either. I just think that things can get confusing without them sometimes.
I don't know whether that strengthens your case though, Sassy, since you know I'm just barely literate.
She is neither kidding nor exaggerating.
Anon, thou hast spoketh true m'Lady--what doef a bunch of newf hacks know about proper English? And Shakefpeare too, how he doeth butcher'd horribly the Queenf English.
I ain't got no idear what choo all is talkin bout. Sounds good though.
I use that comma all the time, just did not know it had a name. It makes me crazy not to use it. It really clarifies lists to me.
anyway, my most recent pet peeve: my principal, who is a very intelligent and educated lady, always says "we will have an assembly on tomorrow" or "turn your essays in on tomorrow." I have to ask, is this now acceptable? She says it at least twice a day on the intercom, as does everyone else who makes an announcement. It sounds so wrong to me. I have also heard "we wait on line to get a ticket." That was in a children's book I used to read to my kids. and they were not talking about the internet. Tell me what you think, English teacher. I don't know for sure, I am just an art teacher.
Lori
"On tomorrow" is not correct, but sadly, it is a standard part of the MCS administrator lexicon. Along with "on yesterday," which really kills me.
"Waiting on line" is just another way of saying "in line," it's just less common in our neck of the woods.
My sons can shave half their heads and dye the other half green, or join a religious sect, or marry a girl from the wrong side of the tracks (they're more fun anyway), but they shall NEVER speak poorly of the serial comma or they are DEAD TO ME...
Have never heard the use of "on tomorrow", but it does seem there's an increase in the use of "on line" (see also, "queue up") like it's some sort of trend...
I also hear ellipses are gaining in popularity...
Post a Comment