Yesterday's usage tip of the day from Bryan Garner has to do with the correct spelling of the word idiosyncrasy, meaning a characteristic peculiar to an individual or group. Unfortunately, the word is commonly confused with the word idiosyncracy, which means, by way of example, the Bush administration.
Stolen from another grammar snob.
Friday, January 25, 2008
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Why don't I write anymore
A Harris County criminal defense lawyer left a comment asking why I don't blog anymore, wondering if it's because I've decided the state of grammar has improved to the point that it no longer needs me.
Would that it were so. If anything, grammar has gotten worse; but mainly, it's just becoming less relevant. It used to be fun to try and locate the occasional misspelled word or incorrect usage in the New York Times; now, it's just depressing. I can only guess that the rise of the internet has pinched print media to the point it can't afford the kind of editing staff that could find and eliminate the numerous elementary errors that make their way into the NYT on a daily basis.
So, no, grammar still needs me, but I only have ten fingers and there are so many holes in the dike. And there are other dikes demanding my attention. Plus, I've never been good at prioritizing my leisure time in the first place. But I'll try to do better.
Would that it were so. If anything, grammar has gotten worse; but mainly, it's just becoming less relevant. It used to be fun to try and locate the occasional misspelled word or incorrect usage in the New York Times; now, it's just depressing. I can only guess that the rise of the internet has pinched print media to the point it can't afford the kind of editing staff that could find and eliminate the numerous elementary errors that make their way into the NYT on a daily basis.
So, no, grammar still needs me, but I only have ten fingers and there are so many holes in the dike. And there are other dikes demanding my attention. Plus, I've never been good at prioritizing my leisure time in the first place. But I'll try to do better.
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