lapsus linguae, As little as I've been able to be here this week, it has taken me until today to be aware that you're back. I am SO glad you're not out to pasture on your tether! You are so neat--I do wish you'd post more. ==========================================================
Last evening, I went to hear author Dave Pelzer speak. He has written a series of riveting autobiographical books, based on his horrific history as an abused child. They are all--well, the first three--still on the Bestseller list, but I'll give the titles anyway: 'A Child Called It' outlines his life up to age 12, when he was rescued (his word) and put in foster care. The second, 'The Lost Boy', tells about his life from ages 12 to 18. 'A Man Named Dave' continues on from there. He has a brand new one out, called, I think, 'Help Yourself'.
It was--interesting-- to hear him. Apparently he is now doing some counseling with youth, and is urging his survival strategies on to them. I could tell that he doesn't "have it all together", quite, but I'm not sure anyone could who knew that his mother was trying to kill him, and in fact made repeated attempts to do so. What he had to say was mostly pretty good. Though I wish he had not tried being a comedian--it took a lot away.
It would be interesting to know what helped Dave Pelzer survive abuse that could have destroyed him. A few years ago I read a description by a successful astronomer of how his mother compelled him to engage in incest with her. The only important factor that occurs to me is motivation. It would be wonderful if healthy motivation could be supplied to those who need it.
i posted something to this effect in Miscellany yesterday, then realized it would be more appropriate here. with tsuwm's help (Thanks, tsuwm!) i deleted it without a trace, and didn't bother reposting it, figuring nobody'd be the wiser. i wasn't aware that i was deleting it, somebody was trying to reply, so here it is, nancyK:
I received an invitation to a baby christening today, with this intriguing addendum:
O'doerves and appetizers will be served
had it been a St Paddy's day gathering, i would've been amused by the pun (discounting the transposition of the r and the v as a typo), but this christening is scheduled for april.
it reminded me of something i'd been meaning to ask you, my AWAD friends: Are any of you cursed with the tendancy to find typos everywhere you look? i'm the last one to comment on someone's typing skills, as i rarely use spell check myself in forums such as these. i'm referring, rather, to written media such as magazine advertisements, billboards, contracts, product warranties, etc., which i believe can and should be held to a higher standard. i don't look for the typos, but it's almost as if they were written in BOLD, by the way they seem to jump off of the pages. i have to bite my tongue in restaurants to keep from pointing out the inevitable errors to my husband, who (after ten years) no longer finds my hobby amusing. (OTOH, some of my friends who are similarly afflicted report that they like to make a game of it).
Yes, distressingly the same, to the equal boredom of my family and friends! I had put it down to all the lifetimes spent doing DTP type work - but maybe it's simply a kifted streak of my personality. Nice to know I share it with congenial others.
Since olives stuffed with pimento are commonly an hors d'oeuvre item, I am reminded of a gag Fred Allen pulled on his radio program in the thirties, making fun of expensive pretentious useless gifts. He said he had gotten a solid gold pimento paddle. Absolutely essential to tucking any pimento herniating out of the olive back where it belonged.
Oops, i was going from memory, and typing by rote since my mind has been on March Madness all morning (GOOOOOOO CARDINAL). the invitation actually promised "O'dourves and Beverages". i didn't even realize i'd mistyped (ironically) until i read your post, Bill. i'll pay more attention next time
i guess this ties into the grass houses thread nicely, huh?
O'dourves and Appetizers Oops, i was going from memory, and typing by rote since my mind has been on March Madness all morning (GOOOOOOO CARDINAL). the invitation actually promised "O'dourves and Beverages"
Thank you, Bridget. I had noticed the variant spelling the instant I read your repost, and found the irony very satisfying, but was reluctant to bring it to your attention, as doing so would have opened the floodgates for critiques of my own less than adept typing!
Typos, wherever they appear, scream at me. I get no rest from typos. Both typos and factual errors. On the first page of Dean Koontz's novel, "False Memory," our heroine is listening to Bach's Requiem (sic). Fact-checkers, schmact-checkers.
Must agree that I find typos very distracting. I've sometimes considered setting up a little business offering to read restaurants' menus for them to look for this and other problems, as it seems to be such a common place to find them.
My tendencies in this regard probably spring from the fact that I was raised by a professional editor and ESL (English as Second Language, in case it's not a common abbreviation outside the US) teacher who was pretty dang nitpicky herself. Or maybe I was just born to be a pain in the ass.
Typos, wherever they appear, scream at me. I get no rest from typos. Both typos and factual errors.
I am sure that most who post here share this aversion. I remember being moved as a ten-year old to write an indignant letter to a UK periodical which had stated that Oliver Cromwell was the only Lord Protector of the Realm in the period between Charles I and II.
I too am annoyed by typos, but what I really dislike is when the writers put their brains on autopilot and don't check the article after it has been mauled by a spell checker.
The local newspaper had a review of the new VW Jetta station wagon. It stated that it had not been offered in this conflagration in Canada before. (Perhaps Jetta is German for Ford Pinto?)
An article a few years ago in the Vancouver Province (a major daily) about a charity hockey game between Los Angeles police officers and NHL oldtimers. Man was changed to person in every case. John Smith, a defenceperson for the Dallas Stars...
I've sometimes considered setting up a little business offering to read restaurant's menus..
I have often considered offering my services as proofreader to my University newspaper, due to the constant and egregious errors found therein. Like some of you mentioned, I see typos right away-- they seem to be printed in red ink! Fortunately, my parents share this trait, so I don't unduly annoy anyone by constantly pointing out nitpicky errors.
Are any of you cursed with the tendency to find typos everywhere you look?
What about deliberate typographical "errors"? Not just "Nu" for new, or "EZ" for easy, but small typographical errors used intentionally to catch the eye of the pedantic? I'm still a stranger here, but I see that some regulars have experience in various media. Of them I ask, do deliberate typographical "errors" exist, or are they merely the product of a cynical imagination?
An article a few years ago in the Vancouver Province (a major daily) about a charity hockey game between Los Angeles police officers and NHL oldtimers. Man was changed to person in every case. John Smith, a defenceperson for the Dallas Stars...
Bingo! I received a rather dismissive reply from the magaine, telling that basically Richard Cromwell's tenure was so short it didn't count. That did not do much to for my opinion of the magazine.
Hey, guys, no fair moving the posts just when I find somewhere to add my two cents worth! Bridget: As one of the new kids on the block - and one who's not particularly tuned in to nuance -I don't understand why you felt your comments about proofreading belong in a non-word thread (here!). Seems to me proofreading is primarily about words. (Although, having made an occasional dollar or two as a proofreader, I admit my worst mistake was with numbers - a misplaced decimal point in a medication dosage .
Back to proofeading: I, too, do it almost automatically, but menus don't bother me half as much as newspapers, especially headlines. Since they supposedly have people whose job it is to proofread, it really sets my teeth on edge!
do deliberate typographical "errors" exist, or are they merely the product of a cynical imagination?
The newspapers I worked for had a rule that disallowed errors on purpose, also inverted or up side down ads, to catch a reader's attention. There was one exception allowed in The Exeter News Letter. A book seller called his establishment simply : "Boooks " in the advertisement and when the Ad Manager spotted the ad was having none of it. He called the book seller to explain it was not allowed. When the book seller answered in a heavy Scots accent "Boooks" the Ad Mgr gave up and allowed the ad to be placed with the three "o"s.
BELIEVE IT OR NOT : I found an error in the Oxford Press English/American Ameican/English dictionary that was offered in Harrod's book department in 1971. It stated that Parker House Rolls were originated in Chicago, Illinois. Pshaw! Parker House rolls were begun by a chef-baker at The Parker House in Boston, Mass. They are a delicious dinner roll still served in that hotel which is near the Massachusetts State House. I put the book back on the shelf. Often wondered if they ever corrected it? Whatever, if any, proofs Oxford Press offers it will be disbelieved in Boston! If you want more on book editing send a Private, thanks.
I don't understand why you felt your comments about proofreading belong in a non-word thread (here!).
You know what, Nancy? you and ol' chopped liver (hereinafter OCL, with an -eur suffixed to it as to make it pronouncable) are absolutely right. i can't imagine why i second guessed myself, as i now clearly see that this is most definitely, unequivocably a Word Thread. tell you what i'll do: If everyone wants to erase their messages, i'll delete mine as well then i'll repost in a word thread. Third time's the charm....
Oh, and for the record, when OCLeur first posted i was (uncharacteristically) away from AWAD for an extended period, or i'd have fessed up earlier.
bridget kneels and does three hail marys and an our father
nemo, are you making possibly the best pun this place has seen in ages??? I LOVE it!!!
I'm sorry, Annastrophic, but I don't get it. I was simply trying to make a very obtuse reference to Noah Webster, the one responsible for American spelling as we know it today. As much as I would love to take credit for some fantastic pun, I don't even see one!
Nope, AnnaStrophic, I don't think you're chopped liver, old or otherwise. Here's the history in brief: I originally posted my comment before - actually while - Bridget was relocating the thread to "Non-Word, etc." Went back to see what my post looked like on the actual forum (excited as only a stranger can be), only to discover the whole thread gone. I thought I had killed it . Thankfully it wasn't my fault after all, and all our posts live happily ever after .
oops I've only heard the term to mean pre-diluvian ancient. If Noachian is also used to describe U.S. spelling, as prescribed by Noah Webster, then I was ignorant of this fact and appreciate learning it.
NancyK, I'd much rather be chopped liver than OCLean (tsuwm, I'll get you for this when you least expect) but in any case, I got ya. Don't you hate the way these threads jump around?
Getting back to typos. I friend and I found this pamphlet from 'The Wall Street Institute' inviting people to try to win a free English course by filling out the form and sending it in. We spent about 20 mins correcting at least 20-30 mistakes on the form, both in German and English with a red pen and sent it off. Two weeks later a lady called me, and in broken German (she was from the U.S.), proceeded to tell me I had won a course. I acted overjoyed and commented on how happy I'd be to learn some English. Needless to say I didn't go. Another classic: In German, a language school is called eine Sprachenschule, but many schools advertise their 'Sprachschule'; the irony of it! It's like attending 'a lanwage skool'. Needless to say, it's best to avoid these establishments.
Well, heaven to betsy - I gave you credit for spotting a sort of triple pun (antidiluvian/Webster/"no H" orthography), so I guess I'll crawl back under my stone now!
On the typos: my local rag printed a large advert yesterday by the major regionally-based education & training agency. It was for a Director to join the board - in an honourary capacity. Webster - who he?!
Disclaimer: Wordsmith.org is not responsible for views expressed on this site.
Use of this forum is at your own risk and liability - you agree to
hold Wordsmith.org and its associates harmless as a condition of using it.
Oops, i was going from memory, and typing by rote since my mind has been on March Madness all morning (GOOOOOOO CARDINAL). the invitation actually promised "O'dourves and Beverages". i didn't even realize i'd mistyped (ironically) until i read your post, Bill. i'll pay more attention next time
. Thankfully it wasn't my fault after all, and all our posts live happily ever after
