Topic: Cato's Grammar Grumble

[steve ridgway]

RIP the letter "d" in "supposed". It had a good run, but the end is near, so we might as well pay our respects now. It will be joining its brother, the fallen "d" in "iced cream". 

Oh was it "iced cream" originally? How about “it is supposed to be” though?

[k a rl h e nn i ng]

Considering the more vital ways in which journalists are letting us down, the verbal slips may sem unimportant, but:
"Senate Republicans attempted to pass a more narrow coronavirus stimulus bill..." What, never heard of narrower?

[Cato]

Considering the more vital ways in which journalists are letting us down, the verbal slips may sem unimportant, but:
"Senate Republicans attempted to pass a more narrow coronavirus stimulus bill..." What, never heard of narrower?

I cringe more and more at seeing the word "more" instead of the "-er" ending for Comparative Adjectives.  A similar problem is evident with "most" and the Superlative.  e.g.  "Most stupid" instead of "stupidest."

I am also cringing more at the use of Ā, as in "late," for the pronunciation of the Indefinite Article.  e.g. "That is Ā new car."    There are several Blondie Bubbleheads on the local T.V. news who use this monstrosity almost constantly.

[Cato]

A machine-printed - not hand-written - sign seen recently at a grocery store:

"Coupons cant be used for shipt items."

To be sure, the second is the more grievous error, but both make us wonder: "Did the computer really not have Spell-Check?!"

[Cato]

Part II:

And we have this sign at a local Taco Bell restaurant:

             FREE JOBS!

Truly this puzzling sign fathers at least a few questions:

How many people are paying a company so that they may have the privilege of working there?  I know that I would gladly pay my school for the wonderful experiences of teaching students and  70+ hour weeks!  Yet, mirabile creditu, the Catholic Church in fact pays me to work there!   

Are there jobs with entrance fees?  I know that with certain positions e.g. The Mafia, there are entrance tests involving the disposal of wise guys, but a fee?

Is the word "volunteer" perhaps more appropriate?   I do know some people who would work at Taco Bell just to be able to sample the food or smell the aromas.  And we all know, as we go through Life, we should take time to stop and smell the quesos!   

[steve ridgway]

Our local Indian restaurant has a beautifully printed sign in the window - “Allergies and intolerance available on request. Please ask any member of staff”.