Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Secondly

We might just be arguing semantics, but check out the last bullet point:

"The carry-out option is provided to you as a courtesy. If you require unlimited seconds, you must dine in."

First, after you have one "second," wouldn't your next helping be a "third"?

And second, what carry-out abuses could possibly have necessitated such a thoroughly passive-aggressive sign?

Friday, February 20, 2009

Four is Enough

While protesting octo-mom's excess of children, this protester seems to be suffering from an over-abundance of his own:

MOM
8-is ENOUGH
4-A
MAL-PRACTICE
LAW-SUIT

I count four hyphens too many in this sign. Oh, protesters. When will you learn that your flagrant disregard for grammar and punctuation undermines your message?

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Victory from the Sidelines

I'm no football aficionado, but I'm pretty sure you have to make the winning plays on the actual field. People magazine thinks otherwise:

"Football fans Ashton Kutcher and Demi Moore watch the Atlanta Falcons defeat the New Orleans Saints from the sidelines."

Well done, Falcons. Tomorrow we'll watch you defeat the Tennessee Titans from the concession stand.

Thanks to Christina for spotting the misplaced modifier.

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Tip of the Week: Then vs. Than

“Then” is most commonly used as an adverb meaning “at that time,” “next” or “as a consequence.”
Examples:
1. Betty got out on the dance floor, then did the Macarena. (Betty got out on the dance floor. Next, she did the Macarena.)
2. Doing the Macarena was more fun then. (Doing the Macarena was more fun at that time.)
3. If you don’t do the Macarena, then you are not cool. (If you don’t do the Macarena, as a consequence, you are not cool.)

“Than” is usually a conjunction that expresses comparison or choice.
Examples:
1. No dance is more awesome than the Macarena.
2. I would rather do the Macarena than the Electric Slide.

The bottom line:
When you are trying to convey time, use “then.” When you are trying to make a comparison, use “than.”

Friday, February 6, 2009

Milk Duds

Valentine's Day is awful enough without people making it worse with their terrible grammar. Exhibit A:

"Your the milk to my cookie."

Yes, and your the death to my sanity. And don't those chocolate chips kinda looks like zits? Not very romantic.

Buy your valentine a very "special" card here.