Wednesday, March 4th is National Grammar Day, and since what’s meant to be a lighthearted, tongue-in-cheek sort of event is getting all sorts of extreme response, I thought I’d set the record straight, at least as far as this editor is concerned.
National Grammar Day was founded by the equally tongue-in-cheek Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar, or SPOGG, as a day to appreciate grammar. Some suggested methods of celebration include holding grammar parties at which you “drink Grammartinis”, and even “eat high-fiber foods (because they’re good for the colon)” — rimshot, please?
I’ve explained my position on ridicule of grammar before in this blog. I’m a grammar vampire, not a grammar vigilante or spelling snob, and certainly not a Grammar Nazi.
I’ll edit for a friend if they ask me to, but I have to be invited in. I’m not going to pounce on every typo in every e-mail, blog post, comment, online forum and chat session. I typo-spot in public, I giggle at mistranslations and I might even sneak my own photo of an especially amusing leap of spelling, grammar or logic—but even then, I’m not going to roam around armed with a permanent marker or a stack of apostrophes to make my own corrections.
So, enjoy National Grammar Day, but keep it in perspective. It’s a fun day to make puns and joke and laugh, and make strings of paper dolls shaped like ampersands and hang them as garlands, and snicker at unintentional cannibal references. It’s not a call to arms.
And you can put your garlic away; I’m not going to be coming after you. Except, maybe, to share pictures.
- Seasonal Reprint: Grammar Vampires (100%)
- Knowing the Formula (100%)
{ 3 comments }
OMG! Paper dolls shaped like ampersands! My best friend and I first met over an ampersand. I so want to try and make some for her. :) lol.
My first draft of this post had strings of ellipses, but I thought that was too obvious and not nearly challenging enough for the advanced grammar appreciator.
If you manage to make an ampersand garland, I would love to see it!
My best friend and I met over it’s vs. its. She asked for feedback on her site, and I didn’t really know her, but I offered it nicely, but pointed out the error. She didn’t appreciate it at first, but later when she asked for a support buddy and I raised my hand, she knew she could trust I’d be honest with her. We shall never forget our fun beginnings!
I’ve toned it down a lot over the years. Now I just cringe in silence. :D
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