Arrrgh, the 'no exception' lede.
It's like saying, "Most people have skin, and Tom Thomas is no exception."
I would like to hear others' lede pet peeves. Please — you share!
August 31, 2007
August 30, 2007
Lessons in copspeak
I recall seeing a memo at some point (Missourian? Sentinel?) regarding how never to quote law officials saying worthless things. Hence, this graf from the story about the cell phone bomb threats (and where they may have come from) caught my eye:
"It was either national or international* ... it was not a local** cell phone company," he said.
Are they kidding with this? I mean, I know CNN has a hed bust on the main page, like, every day (a recent gem went something like: 'Owen Wilson was attempted suicide, police say'), but seriously: this is J105-level knowledge.
Wah wah.
*Yes, it was. Hey, and did you know Bin Laden is either alive or dead?
**A good follow-up question would have been: Um, "local" cell phone company?
"It was either national or international* ... it was not a local** cell phone company," he said.
Are they kidding with this? I mean, I know CNN has a hed bust on the main page, like, every day (a recent gem went something like: 'Owen Wilson was attempted suicide, police say'), but seriously: this is J105-level knowledge.
Wah wah.
*Yes, it was. Hey, and did you know Bin Laden is either alive or dead?
**A good follow-up question would have been: Um, "local" cell phone company?
August 20, 2007
Explanation
The title "Your Sew Vein" is a blushing admission of my tendency to obsess on spelling/grammar/style errors beyond what some view as necessary, or sane. "People make mistakes," they say.
Yes, and I catch them.
This is that place to air our struggles with things that make the world go 'round ... such as love, money, dangling participles and crusading against the comma-happy masses.
"Up-and-coming artist, Tom Smith, will hold an exhibition Friday ... "
NO NO NO. You do not need a comma there. Or there. Take 'em out. Out!!
Yes, and I catch them.
This is that place to air our struggles with things that make the world go 'round ... such as love, money, dangling participles and crusading against the comma-happy masses.
"Up-and-coming artist, Tom Smith, will hold an exhibition Friday ... "
NO NO NO. You do not need a comma there. Or there. Take 'em out. Out!!
The birth
I've been contemplating a grammar blog for a long while. In some respects, it's not the most original idea (see: Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips), but it's just too damn tempting not to start my own, what with all the material life on the grid provides me.
It was on the backburner until last night, when yet another sighting of a typed sign asking for tip's sent me over the edge.
I hope soon to get a camera phone, but for now I will photograph as much as I can, keep my eyes peeled or just report on the many offenses I see on the go in Manhattan. Think of this as Perez Hilton meets Poynter.
And welcome.
It was on the backburner until last night, when yet another sighting of a typed sign asking for tip's sent me over the edge.
I hope soon to get a camera phone, but for now I will photograph as much as I can, keep my eyes peeled or just report on the many offenses I see on the go in Manhattan. Think of this as Perez Hilton meets Poynter.
And welcome.
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