- Also it's the reign of terror. Not the rain.
- I got an email yesterday saying "bare with me."
- I once had a student, thinking of royalty, write "Your Hinus," which made me think he was referring to...
- I find "baited breath" is entirely appropriate relating to fishing stories that feature a worm-eating protagonist.
- It's important to get this right. After all, it's a doggie dog world out there.
I've said many times that few (in fact, I would reckon, no) agents will reject you for a misplaced comma on, say, page 57. Your first few pages should be perfect--but, once we're into the story, a tiny error won't bother most of us--it's easier, after all, to fix a comma than a concept. You should do your best, but ultimately these are relatively easy changes.
That said, will we respect you more if your prose is not only artful but--well--technically perfect? If we know we won't have to go line-by-line over your work before it's ready to send out?
You can bet your baited breath.
Happily, Grammar Girl--perhaps you've seen earlier posts where I've praised her wit and helpfulness--has generously offered three books to GK readers:
But wait, there's more! (Yes, I double as a game show hostess.)
Included with your book, you'll receive treats from NYC. I'll send a questionnaire to better guess your tastes, and you'll get not only a useful book, but a treat to eat while reading.
First prize: First choice of the books, plus a small NYC goodie bag.
Second prize: Second choice of the books, plus a treat.
Third prize: Third choice, plus a treat.
Included with your book, you'll receive treats from NYC. I'll send a questionnaire to better guess your tastes, and you'll get not only a useful book, but a treat to eat while reading.
First prize: First choice of the books, plus a small NYC goodie bag.
Second prize: Second choice of the books, plus a treat.
Third prize: Third choice, plus a treat.
Here's how you win (and Snarky, assuming I can pull him away from his Maker's, and I will be your judges): Tell us a true story (in the comments) of an amusing written error. Doesn't have to be your own. With your entry, include your preferences (in order) for the books, and a link to a post (either Twitter or on your blog) linking to (and commenting on) a GK post of your choosing--anything since the humble beginnings of this blog three years ago. Include your email address in person (at) domain (dot) com form.
Deadline for entries is Friday, August 5. Winners will be announced the following Monday.
Deadline for entries is Friday, August 5. Winners will be announced the following Monday.
40 comments:
Oh, how I detest when people say "baited breath"!
As for my unfortunate misuse story? I've long since deleted the actual chat conversation, but it went something like this:
Friend: hey
Me: Hi.
Friend: u going to the rectal on saturday?
Me: ...excuse me?
Did you say the "rectal"?
I don't even
What are you
WHAT
Friend: yea my voice rectal
Me: OH.
RECITAL.
You might want to add the 'i' in there, buddy...
*sigh* Said friend also saw fit to spell the word "necklace" as "neckless." (Different conversation, fortunately for her.) I got quite the chortle out of that one.
Books in choice order? Eek! That's tough.
1) 101 Words Every High School Graduate Needs to Know
2) The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students
3) 101 Misused Words (oh, ye olde irony that this is my last choice)
Not much room for my astute commentary [*cough* *hack*] on Twitter, but here's a tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/RileyRedgate/status/93000237836279808
My email: RileyRedgate [at] gmail. [dot] com
Thanks for the fun contest, GK!
Thanks Riley! :)
Um, isn't it the reign of terror?
Right you are, Kristine. That was my fault--typing after too much coffee.
What a fun post! I am by no means an expert on grammar so these books would be very helpful!
Let's see if I can follow the rules.
My story:
My co-worker and I deal with boundaries (actual maps with boundaries) on a daily basis.
Not only does he spell it wrong but he also says it wrong.
The way he spells it: Boun-dairy
I get a kick out of it at least once a week. Yes - I was nice enough to correct him. He just chose not to consult with Dictionary.com and prefers his spelling and saying of the word.
Books in order of choice:
1)101 Misused Words
2) 101 Words Every High School Graduate Needs to Know
3) The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students
A tweet you say:
http://twitter.com/#!/jenunedited
Note: I'd lie and say I didn't realize I didn't include the status information but the truth is I have no idea how to (yes I'm a broken tweeter). I do hope you can still see the one I tweeted :)
Email:
Jenniferdaiker(at)gmail(dot)com
Awesome contest!
LOL, AG.
A term I hear occasionally in conversation is "various and sundry" meaning "lots of different kinds."
I once saw it written (can't remember where) as "various insundry." Probably meaning the same thing, but it makes me think of incendiary, which is entirely different.
No preference of book choice. :)
Equally as important as spelling is reading directions correctly, which I didn't in my first (or second) comment. :)
I tweeted a link to this post--cause I love it. http://twitter.com/#!/KristineAsselin/status/93058156397207552
krisasselin (at ) gmail (dot) com
OK, I have two!
The first was said by the SAME person who used "Doggie-dog world" to me. "Same-o, Same-o." (As opposed to "Same-old, same-old.")
The second was my son, who thought that a film documentary about a famous person was a Bi-OP-ic, rather than a Bio-Pic. I can still giggle about that one.
I also have a friend who thought "conflated" was not a real word. Sigh.
And I can I put in a vote for that famous midwestern salad, Cold Slaw?
My order:
1. 101 misused
2. students
3. 101 words each high school...
Unfortunately, I don't have a good print example, but I'm sure I've made plenty of grammar boo boos on my own. Actually, Grammar Girl mentioned that most of the "grammar" errors are actually usage errors, but Usage Girl didn't sound as catchy as grammar girl.
Anyway, the one that drives me crazy is when people say "For all intensive purposes" instead of "for all intents and purposes" and think they sound really smart. ::Sigh:: The joys of working with college students.
The principal at the middle school I worked in was extremely proud of the scores on a heavily pushed standardized test. We beat out every other county and she wanted to brag. She had hundreds of shirts made up that said, "Were the best!" The language arts director had to beg her to get them reprinted. (On a side note, we didn't raise our language arts score by very much that year.)
Ooh, love Grammar girl, but want to make sure I know the '101 words every high school grad should know'! http://twitter.com/#!/lizreinhardt/status/93277615254806532
elireinhardt(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for the contest!
Years ago, I worked in an office and at Christmastime we had a cubicle-decorating contest. As I checked out the cube next to mine, I was impressed with all the effort that went into the Grinch scene, complete with garbage “shoot.”
Coincidentally, this is the same office where we all once got an email about a meeting that was not canceled, but “counciled.” (no, it was not the same person who made the above oops). I spent several minutes, staring at the email, no clue what was going on with the meeting.
Order:
Misused words
Every grad should know
Writing guide
http://twitter.com/#!/jenpickrell/status/93306007060611072
jenpickrell(at)gmail(dot)com
Yep, for YEARS I thought it was "all intensive purposes." My current boyfriend was the first to correct me! I mean...it kinda makes sense, right? :p
"I seen your Mom at the grocery store" or "I seen you running last week" - two examples I just snagged off of Facebook. I've been seeing this grammatical error a lot recently and have no idea how or why people believe this is proper (maybe they know it isn't and don't care). It's puzzling either way!
I would love any of the books!
1. Writing Guide
2. 101 Words
3. 101 Misused Words
I'm new to Twitter, so I'm not sure if I got this right. Hopefully you can see my post! http://twitter.com/#!/JoyWCal
Joy(dot)Callaway(at)Gmail(dot)com
Thanks GK! :)
Three years ago, I was shopping for my first condo. After weeks of looking, I got up extremely early to FINALLY email my realtor (who already kind of hated me because I'd been a wee bit indecisive and panicky) the offer for him to forward to the seller.
About an hour later, he replied, stating how there was NO WAY he would submit this bid to any legitimate seller, and how it was completely unprofessional on my part and he just KNEW—from the very beginning—that I was flaky, uncommitted and had wasted weeks of his time.
Stunned and sobbing, I stared at my screen for several eternities. Then I refocused and started re-reading. Yeah, so the email I’d sent at 5am had one teeny tiny booboo. Instead of $74,000, I’d typed $44,000. (Hee-hee)
Ok, Realtor, you’re a jackass for email-yelling at me, but…my bad this time.
1) Misused Words
2) Ultimate Writing Guide
3) Every High School Grad
Here's my blog post alllll about you: http://chick-author.blogspot.com/2011/06/agency-blacklist.html
My email: missthing2000 [at] gmail. [dot] com
Thanks for allowing me to relive the pain...for a good cause. :)
As a former university and community college writing instructor, I've faced a lot of hilarious (and confounding) misuses of words and phrases, but the one that has lodged itself most in my memory is this: I was teaching Business Writing to junior and senior business majors, and one of my students was a middle-aged former cop. In an introductory letter to me (an assignment that let me assess their skill level), he told me he had been a "piece officer." Before I could stop myself, I inked in the margin, "Is that as in 'packing a piece?' I always thought it was as in 'keeping the peace.'" I handed it back to him hoping my comment read as curious, and not borderline sarcastic--it was, after all, his first introduction to me, too.
I dig Grammar Girl and I'm sure I could make good use of any of her books (I look for her specifically when I am stumped on an editing job). So, no preference really... I guess "Ultimate..." would be a good first pick. Then either of the others.
I made a nice "Create-Your-Own-Superheroine GK" for my blog, with a nod toward your piece on author-agent speed dating: http://tenstorytreehouse.blogspot.com/2011/07/grammarian-humor-author-agent-speed.html.
tenstorytreehouse (at) gmail (dot) com
In the early days of SpellCheck, when Ann Richards was governor of Texas, my agency put out a document telling the governor, the entire state legislature, and the entire state congressional delegation that we'd be spending $50,000 on pubic meetings.
When the environmental affairs officer (a friend, fortunately) called me to tell me about the error, I could hear Governor Richards laughing hysterically in the background. Glad we made her day.
I now use this as an example to students of the importance of proofreading with eyes, not algorithms.
My typo was one that I actually did not make. It is the most memorable typo that I have ever experienced, seeing as how I was eight when it happened, and I still clearly recall it.
My father is a pastor. Back in 1982, we were moving to a new state so that he could begin work with a new congregation. A common welcome for new church staff was to hold a potluck after church, with members bringing cans and boxes to stock the new family's pantry.
The announcement in the bulletin read, "Don't forget to mark next Sunday on your calendars. We will be holding a welcome pot luck and panty shower for Pastor _______ and his family!
And yes, there were a few brave souls who brought a gag gift of panties to the pot luck!
A student long ago once wrote an essay in which I had asked him to answer the question "Who Am I?" As part of his answer he wrote that he had "80HD"... instead of ADHD.
Book choices:
1. high school
2. misused
3. writing guide
https://twitter.com/#!/KRJuchem/status/98467029127925760
kristenrjuchem (at) hotmail (dot) com
Years ago I would chat with an associate at one of our vendor companies. I would sometimes ring off by saying "ciao." Once she sent me an email and signed off "Chow,"...
I didn't correct her. I just giggled.
I was an A&E reporter for a newspaper in Seattle and wrote a travel piece that included mentioning a dinghy a few times - as in a small boat. Plurally, I spelled it dingies - it should've been dinghies - and the copy editor didn't catch it. To make things worse, our ME sent out a newsroom-wide memo castigating the copy editing dept. for frequent similar errors using my story as the example. *still blushing to this day*
1)101 Misused Words
2) 101 Words Every High School Graduate Needs to Know
3) The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students
Twitter:https://twitter.com/#!/rewrighter01
email: rewrighter@gmail.com
I just realized that I did not indicate a preference of prize. I would prefer whatever book would best benefit either a teacher of fourth grade, or act as the best reference source for the fourth graders themselves. I would leave that choice up to the experts. :)
I have explained more than once to a co-worker of mine that 'board' does not mean the same thing as 'bored'.
She writes that she, 'is board', as her facebook status frequently. I was ever so kind the first time, and informed her that this kind of 'board' was not the one she was referring to.
Recently (and once again) she wrote 'board' while at work. I thought to myself, "There just has to be a better way to illustrate my point." So I replied, "Perhaps you should take this time and read up on homonyms."
She said she would rather work (Then why doesn't she you ask? Good question). Mission failed, but I still chuckle when I think of my reply.
I had another friend who wrote 'pubic' instead of 'public' on facebook. Gotta check before sending!
Book choices:
1)101 Misused Words
2)101 Words Every High School Graduate Needs to Know
3)The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students.
I worked as a copy editor for a medium-sized community newspaper for nearly 14 years. I once had a cub reporter who wrote "spicket" for "spigot."
Perhaps she should have used "faucet" instead...
My favorite isn't a typo, it's a misplaced modifier. At church every so often we sing a hymn, "Let Us Break Bread Together On Our Knees", I can't song it because I can't stop laughing. I get elbowed by my husband a lot!
Not a written error, but I thought I'd share anyway. During an interview, the hiring manager said, "Irregardless..." I waited until he finished his sentence before saying, "Irregardless isn't a word."
I got the job.
"My dears: it is bated breath. Not baited breath" OR: A GK/Grammar Girl Giveaway: http://t.co/ledrkIW via @AddThis
I worked in the Retail Loan Servicing department of a large local bank. Once, a loan maintenance request stated "the amount should of been applied to his loan. Instead, it was applied to his checking account."
She should've written "should have."
In order of preference, I would like:
1.) The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students
2.) 101 Words Every High School Graduate Should Know
3.) 101 Misused Words You'll Never Confuse Again
My email is: hmckenty (at) gmail (dot) com
And a link to a GK post: http://twitter.com/#!/windjammin99/status/98471372036128768
I previously worked in Work Comp. Each month the counselors had to write a report to the insurance company for each client, stating what they had done that month. Each month, one of the counselors wrote that his client was “pursuing the want ads.” (This was before the Internet.) Each month I corrected it to “perusing the want ads,” only to see it “corrected” back to “pursuing.” I even made a copy of the dictionary page and put it in his mailbox, to no avail. I still have visions of that client chasing the newspaper down the street.
Books in order of choice:
1)101 Misused Words
2) 101 Words Every High School Graduate Needs to Know
3) The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students
When I was 15, I was dating an older and more sophisticated man of 18. At a party, (where I was the youngest one there) he offered me a potato chip. I replied.."thanks, I could use some fornication". When multiple people spewed their drinks and laughed, he leaned in close and told me that it was fortification I needed, and that I should probably look up fornication when I got home. (I would like to have the 101 misused words...)
I was working for a large company and managing a community relations program that recognized individuals for their public service. I wrote a letter that was signed by our CEO that said something like "we commend you for your pubic service efforts." Yes..pubic service. Several people in the company read the letter and hadn't noticed the missing l. The CEO's administrative assistant caught the error after he had signed it.
Email: jdelett@gmail.com
When I was 8, my uncle asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I told him that I wanted to be a Prostitute. Choking on his laughter, he asked me what a prostitute was. I answered, you know... the opposite of a catholic.
Sorry for resubmitting; I am not sure I typed this right the first time (oh the irony!). A student wrote: "Hamlet suspected foreplay all along..."
This typo injured me. I'm a Middle School teacher and was on a hiring committee to find a new teacher for our small, progressive, private school. As I was home one evening, reading cover letters and resumes, I came upon that of a woman who wanted to "fester the love of learning in her students". I laughed so hard I fell off the couch, hitting my head. The woman never even got an interview, and I regularly use the anecdote as a cautionary tale with my students as to why spell check is not their best friend.
Book choices:
Words You'll Never Confuse Again
Words High School Students Should Know
Writing Guide
Email:
Kazooenglish(at)gmail(dot)com
Link to tweet:
http://twitter.com/#!/KazooEnglish/status/98512172056973313
Firstly, I live in Australia so am probably not eligible for the prize.
Typo Error: I was watching TV the other night and they were showing live Twitter updates. We all know Twitter is an abomination of the English language... but I digress.
The TV show was about porn being a healthy and normal pastime. Someone tweeted: "I'd rather my husband watch porn then cheat on me."
I assume she meant "than", but I was amused nonetheless.
My other pet peeves are: lose/loose, they're/their/there, no/know and leet speak.
Perhaps not nearly as amusing as baited breath or voice rectal, but I've recently noticed quite a few posts on an online community discussing the numerous "clicks" on the site (and not referring to the number of times the site is accessed by mouse click). And that "clicks" are unnecessary and can result in hurt feelings. I don't correct anyone, but have enjoyed a few solitary chortles...
1)101 Misused Words
2) 101 Words Every High School Graduate Needs to Know
3) The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students
There's the oft-retold one of the Bio graduate who misspelled 'organism' on her resume and her prospective employers had to work out what 'multicellular orgasms' were.
But the one I've encountered recently was in an email to me: 'The theme of the meeting will be the central role of ecosystem services and integration of disciples across all of the project tasks.' Of course the author meant 'disciplines'
Love it when spell check doesn't catch these.
I'm at blood_flower_ (at) hotmail (dot) com
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/ahm026
And preferences:
1) 101 Misused Words
2) 101 Words Every High School Graduate Needs to Know
3) The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students
My typo problems seem to revolve around the letter L. As in Nashvile instead of Nashville, and notary pubic instead of notary public. Fortunately, I caught the latter before it became a problem! My preference would be the writing guide, then the 101 words for high school grads. Thanks for the awesome giveaway.
From a 12th grade honor student's English paper on the poetry of William Blake:
"...surrounding the child is a urethral glow symbolizing a blessed... ."
Ensuing conversation:
AJG: C'mere [insert kid's name here]; I need to show you something I noted in your essay.
Kid comes to me and I show kid the above completely misused word.
AJG: Do you know why this is wrong?
Kid: No.
AJG: OK. What's a urethra?
Kid: I dunno.
AJG: Really? You didn't learn that in biology or anatomy and physiology?
Kid: I guess not. Or maybe I did and I just don't remember.
AJG: It has to do with urination. A urethra is kind of like a tiny pipe that allows urine to flow from your bladder to the toilet -- or wherever you go to relieve yourself. Does that sound familiar?
Kid: Maybe. [Pause] You're saying that urethras don't glow?
AJG: Well, yeah. At the very least, they don't glow around children, as far as I know...I think you wanted the word *ethereal;* there was an *ethereal* glow, an other-worldly glow, a heavenly, halo-ish kind of glow around the child.
(Now, I'm expecting the kid to crack up at this blunder, because it wasn't at all easy for me to keep a straight face during the above mini-lesson.)
Kid: [Dull stare] Oh. Yeah, I guess that was the word I wanted.
AJG: I thought it was important for you to know so you don't make that mistake again, especially in a college paper, because whoever is party to your "urethral" glow will laugh you back to birth.
Of all the gaffes I see each school year, this one is my favorite. And the best part? The kid plans on a career in medical/ health care field ...
Books:
1)101 Misused Words
2) 101 Words Every High School Graduate Needs to Know
3) The Ultimate Writing Guide for Students
Thanks for the opportunity to share this -- it still kills me when I think about it!
--AJG
I'm not posting this to win the contest, just to add to the conversation. Just saw this facebook post and had to share it:
"At laundry mat and watching gun smoke."
I thought, "Was someone shot while standing on a laundry mat?" Alas, the scene is much less CSI than that. This person is at the laundromat watching Gunsmoke.
I think the one that made me laugh the most was someone commenting on Facebook that a person was a "pre-madonna" instead of a "prima donna."
I cringed and did a little face-palm motion when I read that. The fact that the gal writing it was so cocky and irate made it that much funnier.
Books in order of preference (but totally not expected):
1) Ultimate Writing Guide
2) 101 Misused Words
3) 101 Words Every High School Graduate Needs to Know
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