Some time ago, I announced on Twitter that I was giving up the fight over the apostrophe. I felt defeated. Some smart people – and a lot of dumb ones – still don’t know (or don’t care) when it’s supposed to be used. I decided I’d never win the fight so I waved a white hanky in surrender.
…Not long ago, I found a bunch of old letters I’d written to my parents. They dated to the early-and-mid-80s when I was striking out on my own. They were full of confidence and professed a knowledge about work and the world that I don’t know I’d feel comfortable espousing now, so many years later. The older I get, the less I know for sure. …
I have the reputation of being a Grammar Nazi. However, I’m not a grammar expert. I double-check myself before I post anything publicly and I still make mistakes. I learned a lot by having my first book edited by a bulldog of an editor (that’s a compliment) who was relentless in her pursuit of perfection. When I got my first draft back it looked like someone had coloured on the pages with markers. Those were the changes she insisted on making. It was at first depressing and then illuminating. …
You may already be aware that the misuse of the apostrophe is my Achilles heel. Finally, I’ve come to a point where I can refrain from commenting on social media when my friends commit crimes against punctuation but it’s still a free-for-all if it’s out in the public domain for all to see. Banks, retailers, major food chains and publishers – you’ve been warned! I can’t help myself. I’m always on the alert for RAM.
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The Weird one is back. The man who brought us Eat It to the tune of Michael Jackson’s Beat It, King of Suede to King of Pain by the Police and many, many more parodies has returned. His first release left me a little cold. Tacky is a take on Pharrell’s Happy and the only thing it seemed to have going for it was a bunch of celebrities. Watch it once, and you’re done with it. Â …
I’ve said it before. Language evolves. It usually evolves because mistakes get accepted.  But there are two standouts right now that really bug me. And so I randt! …
It’s well established on these pages that the misuse of the apostrophe is what’s going to finally push me over the edge! Of all of the grammatical errors, putting an apostrophe into a simple plural is the one I can’t tolerate or even understand. How did so many people come to believe it’s right to write it’s every time you use the word? Â I tell students to think about whether they’re trying to say “it is” and if not, leave the ‘ out. …
This will be a familiar topic for regular readers. I tried to rehab myself, I really did! But I can’t get over it. I see it everywhere and it’s so irritating. So I randt. Â …
Please, stop shortening methadone to “meth”.  Meth is crystal methamphetamine, a very potent, dangerous drug that has ruined countless lives. Methadone is a medicine that reduces the cravings for heroin. It is prescribed to people who are trying to kick hard drugs.  Not only do you sound like an idiot when you use “meth” the wrong way, you further confuse the issue for those who don’t yet know the difference. …
Lots of people have them. Â In radio they’re particularly irritating. Â There’s a news anchor (and there have been others) who starts every story with a “well”. Â But it comes out: wool. It gets so you brace yourself for it. Â And it never fails to arrive. …
George Takei finds the best cartoons and photos for Facebook. Â Thanks again Mr. Sulu! Â Â …
I’m always amused by poor writing, especially in broadcasting. Â There’s inexperience, which can be forgiven of course. And then there’s just plain sloppiness. Â I get a giggle out of noticing them and always regret not keeping the ones I find. Â I foolishly think I will remember them. …
Most radio stations, TV stations and newspapers subcribe to a news service called CP, Canadian Press, formerly known as BN or Broadcast News. …
Remember when Seinfeld’s George Costanza was at the end of his rope and simply couldn’t take one more…of something? I’m there right now! …
I tried to inspire myself to comment on the May 2nd election, I really did, but I’ve got nothing. Most of my energy is going to supressing cynicism over another unwanted, expensive campaign. The rest is being spent on discovering diversions like this cover of Tails magazine that’s making the rounds. …
I’ll admit to being a little retentive about the way that words are pronounced. And I have some new additions to my ever-expanding list after punching around the radio dial awhile yesterday afternoon. …
Something I’ve noticed in the London radio market is that a large number of on-air people use the long e version of the word ‘the’ almost exclusively. It’s rather astonishing! It’s as if they’re kicking it old school, as in Biblical, with the language. …