October 13th, 2009
Every so often, someone on the internet invites grammar elitists to visit their blog and post about the kinds of errors that really irritate them. You’ve seen the staples, for sure — the wrong “there”, saying “literally” to mean “figuratively”, and so forth. The party can last for weeks.
I hate them. To me, they represent the very bottom of the barrel of people trying to make themselves out to be better than someone else. It’s like staring into a deep hole and listening to the squeals of plague-bearing rats (by which I mean it’s not inviting).
So, I’m throwing an anti-party. What is the language pet peeve that most grates on your nerves? What do grammar-whiners complain about that you find irritating to hear about?
For me, I hate when people get bent out of shape over something that is “not a word.” Every day, the people around us are mashing words together to come up with new, simpler, more precise ways to describe the world around them, and there is always someone standing by with a dictionary, saying, “Nope, not in here!” I always want to strangle that person.
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June 26th, 2008
Let’s begin by clearing up some terms.
Fictional Discipline
This refers to the dedication of fiction writers to their craft. It is their desire to write whether they feel “inspired” or not. It is the act of putting words on the page when that act is nothing like fun. It is the vision of a completed work of art that compels them to keep writing no matter how painful it is, or how tempting the idea of quitting sounds, or how much must-see TV they miss.
Fictional Discipline
This refers to the fact that, for many aspiring writers, the concept of discipline is a fiction. Many people say they want to write a book; few do. Many people claim they want to be writers, but refuse to take up the pen unless the magical feeling is there. Many people fail because they aren’t willing to put forth effort.
Fictional Discipline
Is an attempt by one aspiring writer to sit his ass down and write. Even if it sucks. Even if some ideas go nowhere. Even if he literally has nine minutes to spare before life swallows him up again. This isn’t about reaching the end of the journey and publishing the next groundbreaking piece of literature. This is about getting on the road in the first place.
January 15th, 2008
A group of hackers wired a bunch of money to a foreign account. Someone hacked into the school’s database and gave A’s to everyone. Put up a firewall to guard against hackers. What is a hacker? Well, according to the news, entertainment, and most people you talk to, a hacker is a person who circumvents computer security. Works for me. (more…)