Subscribers Take Over
I face an occupational hazard on a daily basis, noticing countless examples of “bonehead English,” but I’m not the only one who’s aware of poor language use. Many of you e-mailed me miscues that drive you crazy; here are a few worth sharing:
1. The 2003 tax cuts competed with the Golf War. This was sent in by a college professor. We can hope this was a typo (“Golf” should be “Gulf”), but it’s a perfect example of why spell check doesn’t always protect you.
2. I’m sorry to be so mellow dramatic. The same professor provided this gem, which illustrates why you shouldn’t use words that are unfamiliar to you. (“Mellow dramatic” should be “melodramatic.”)
3. Irregardless of the writer’s enthusiasm, the Company should be company. My former boss sent this in, featuring two usage errors. If you’re a loyal reader, surely you know the word “company” doesn’t merit being capitalized, even when it refers to a specific business. What about “irregardless?” I was surprised to find it even listed in the Word dictionary, although it was noted to be non-standard. Use “regardless” instead.
4. If you have any problems, just contact Debbie or myself. The person who sent this in, a public speaking pro, said he’s seeing this more frequently and it makes him cringe every time. He also recommended I cc the world…and this is the best I can do. (“Myself” should be “me.”)
5. I have more than 130 years of experience. This typo was sent in by one of my best friends. It certainly demonstrates the need for proofing…and then proofing again. There’s no way to tell if this person has more than 13 or 30 years of experience, since 130 seems a bit of a stretch.
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