Cato's Grammar Grumble

[Cato]

Courtesy of my daughter: some of these seem just too good to be real, but...

Some very nasty words are used here and there:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/19-people-who-took-on-the-english-language-and-lost

[Jay F]

Courtesy of my daughter: some of these seem just too good to be real, but...

Some very nasty words are used here and there:

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alanwhite/19-people-who-took-on-the-english-language-and-lost

I'd rather go to a house that smells like incest than one that smells like incense.

[Cato]

I'd rather go to a house that smells like incest...

So, okay, tell us!      What does that smell like?  Teen Spirit?   

Back to grumbling!

More and more, I dread correcting anything where my students must translate the Latin word (miles) for "soldier."

Because this is what I get from far too many of them (in order of preference):

Soilders

Soliders

Solders

Soligers

Soiljers

Soljers



I have had them copy the word ten times, whenever they misspell it.  I have told them that unless the word "die" is in their spelling of "soldier," they have misspelled it: "A soldier can die, so that should help you remember it!"

Not one of them has been diagnosed as dyslexic or disabled in reading.  This group - like too many of their peers, from what I am hearing from other teachers elsewhere - just does not care to concentrate on and remember correct spelling.  Possibly this is the terrible result of txtng and twting.

Speaking of which, today I came across a reference to the heartbreak of chexting.   

This apparently is "cheating emotionally" on a spouse by "texting" one's ideas and feelings to someone of the opposite sex known only via Twitter or FaceBook or whatever.

"Chexting" has nothing to with breakfast cereal!   0:)

[Jay F]

So, okay, tell us!      What does that smell like?  Teen Spirit?   

I understand that's got a smell of its own, one I probably wouldn't like any more than I do incense. 

[Cato]

I understand that's got a smell of its own, one I probably wouldn't like any more than I do incense. 

You should be among adolescent boys these days in a school hallway after gym class: Clouds of "Axxe" are everywhere!

[kishnevi]

So, okay, tell us!      What does that smell like?  Teen Spirit?   

Back to grumbling!

More and more, I dread correcting anything where my students must translate the Latin word (miles) for "soldier."

Because this is what I get from far too many of them (in order of preference):

Soilders

Soliders

Solders

Soligers

Soiljers

Soljers



I have had them copy the word ten times, whenever they misspell it.  I have told them that unless the word "die" is in their spelling of "soldier," they have misspelled it: "A soldier can die, so that should help you remember it!"

Not one of them has been diagnosed as dyslexic or disabled in reading.  This group - like too many of their peers, from what I am hearing from other teachers elsewhere - just does not care to concentrate on and remember correct spelling.  Possibly this is the terrible result of txtng and twting.

Speaking of which, today I came across a reference to the heartbreak of chexting.   

This apparently is "cheating emotionally" on a spouse by "texting" one's ideas and feelings to someone of the opposite sex known only via Twitter or FaceBook or whatever.

"Chexting" has nothing to with breakfast cereal!   0:)

You should give a break to those who spell it as solders.  At least solders is a word.

[Jay F]

You should be among adolescent boys these days in a school hallway after gym class: Clouds of "Axxe" are everywhere!

I don't actually get asthma, so I'm not absolutely certain of this, but I think I get Axthma when I breathe Axe in.

[Cato]

I don't actually get asthma, so I'm not absolutely certain of this, but I think I get Axthma when I breathe Axe in.

You have discovered a new disease!  Now you can sue the company and retire! 

[Jay F]

You have discovered a new disease!  Now you can sue the company and retire! 

I've never experienced anything like it. I hardly even smell it by the time it's taken over my lungs.

[Cato]

I've never experienced anything like it. I hardly even smell it by the time it's taken over my lungs.

"Proof, your honor, of how insidious this terrible product is!  Forget the $100,000 lawsuit: it's now $1,000,000!"

[kishnevi]

Cato, how does one say Read this and weep?http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/police-launch-manhunt-after-men-open-fire-on-troopers-1-person-in-custody-so-far

Although I am curious how one impales a guardrail.  Usually it is the opposite.

[North Star]

Cato, how does one say Read this and weep?http://www.theindychannel.com/news/local-news/police-launch-manhunt-after-men-open-fire-on-troopers-1-person-in-custody-so-far

Although I am curious how one impales a guardrail.  Usually it is the opposite.

I thought it said that the rifle impaled the guardrail.
"Authorities said two ISP troopers were in an unmarked squad car in the area when they noticed a suspicious-looking vehicle: a white 2002 Cadillac DTS. The troopers began to follow it without its overhead lights rotating."
Nice to know that the Cadillac had rotating overhead lights, even if they weren't in use..

[North Star]

When some disease becomes epidemic, there is an epidemia. Or at least there ought to be..

[Cato]

When some disease becomes epidemic, there is an epidemia. Or at least there ought to be..

Amen!   0:)

My principal, a well-meaning 30-something, reads from the "lives of the Saints" every day over the P.A.

Today he read about "Saint Boniface," the latter being pronounced "Bahna Face."   

He tells us also that Saint Bahna Face met martyrdom in an area of southern Germany known as "Barbaria." 0:) 0:) 0:)  (i.e. Bavaria)

Which I suppose it could have been called and made sense, given the martyrdom story!

Certainly northern Germans would agree with the mistake!   0:)

[Florestan]

Amen!   0:)

My principal, a well-meaning 30-something, reads from the "lives of the Saints" every day over the P.A.

Today he read about "Saint Boniface," the latter being pronounced "Bahna Face."   

He tells us also that Saint Bahna Face met martyrdom in an area of southern Germany known as "Barbaria." 0:) 0:) 0:)  (i.e. Bavaria)

Which I suppose it could have been called and made sense, given the martyrdom story!

Certainly northern Germans would agree with the mistake!   0:)

Conan the Bavarian. 

[Sergeant Rock]

He tells us also that Saint Bahna Face met martyrdom in an area of southern Germany known as "Barbaria." 0:) 0:) 0:)  (i.e. Bavaria)

Mrs. Rock, she of northern German ancestry, thinks Bavarians are barbarians. She'd approve of renaming the region 

Sarge

[Karl Henning]

The fictional foreign potentate with 320 wives (and who offers, IIRC, 12 goats in exchange for "Emma, Star of the East," to make 321) in the Avengers episode "Honey for the Prince" rules over "Barabia."

[jochanaan]

Has anyone else here on this forum for music lovers (I was about to type "musical board" but then rethought! ) noticed how many folks, even good writers who really should know better, misuse the word "crescendo"?  To wit, they say/write/type "reach a crescendo" or some such, as if crescendo meant a climax, which it does not?

[North Star]

Has anyone else here on this forum for music lovers (I was about to type "musical board" but then rethought! ) noticed how many folks, even good writers who really should know better, misuse the word "crescendo"?  To wit, they say/write/type "reach a crescendo" or some such, as if crescendo meant a climax, which it does not?

We should use that phrase whenever things start to get (more and more) interesting..

[jochanaan]

We should use that phrase whenever things start to get (more and more) interesting..

...only if you want me to type
ARRRRRGH!!!
every time you do!