Spelling Still Matters – Right Word Equals Right Meaning
Posted on Sunday, January 6th, 2013
If you follow my blog or know me at all, you know I enjoy the occasional word play, grammar goof, or punctuation faux pas. You may have even enjoyed the fun I had at the expense of a brochure I read about a wine tasting and hay ride event. Check it out by clicking here: Why Commas Matter – A Hay Ride Gone Horribly Wrong
Today, I have to share the following humorous (at least to me) result of using the wrong spelling. Here’s the story.
So, there I was, lazily perusing the Shine from Yahoo crap, I mean stuff, that popped up on my computer. Just minding my own business, drinking my coffee, waking up, getting ready for the day, and wasting time having some mindless fun. That’s when I saw it – the mistake that made me spit out my coffee. Okay… spelling errors, or word usage, isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, or coffee, as it were. But, really? This just had me laughing. I know. Who cares if you use the wrong spelling, right? I do. And I get a big kick out of it when it triggers an image like this one I created just so you could have a laugh, too. Enjoy!
According to a post by Shine from Yahoo, there are 13 Trends to Ditch in 2013, including, but not limited to, mixing dresses and sneakers. The writer states, and I quote:
“Dresses and sneakers don’t quite compliment each other like a burger and fries…”
Well, dresses and sneakers could learn a lesson then, don’t you think? Perhaps this will help…
Gotta laugh. Does it mean much in the grand scheme of things? Probably not. I’m sure the readers understood the meaning. I’m just a bit concerned that when we start getting lackadaisical with our spelling, grammar, and punctuation, the written word will lose its meaning, or power, or uumph… whatever you want to call it.
I will be the first to admit that I don’t always punctuate properly. Nor do I necessarily use the right word to get the right meaning. I’ve had my fair share of ‘except’ and ‘accept’ errors. In my typing haste I may have even slipped on a few ‘their’ and ‘they’re’ mistakes. (I blame my typing speed which is often ahead of my brain speed for this, since I know the difference.)
You can laugh at me if you want, young people. Yes, I’m the one who still hesitates using ‘u’ for ‘you’ and ‘r’ for ‘are.’ (And speaking of ‘are,’ don’t get me started on ‘are’ versus ‘our.’ grrrr….) I still insert an apostrophe in the word ‘don’t.’ Yes, I’m a pain in the keister. You’re going to wait forever to get my text because I’m WRITING, not texting.
My move into the modern world is slow, but steady. I will do what I have to, and learn what I must, to keep up with technology. But, there are some things I just can’t let go. And, when my funny-bone is tickled, I just have to share. I hope you enjoyed this little post of mine. It wasn’t exactly deep or meaningful, but what the heck… it was fun!
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It drives me crazy to see errors in print! We’ve gotten very lazy thanks to computers, texting, email, etc. Good post, thanks.
I’ll be sure my dresses compliment my sneakers and vica versa.
Thanks, Lisa. I agree. Granted, I am NOT accurate 100% of the time (or even close) when it comes to grammar, spelling, or punctuation… especially punctuation! And, yes, we’re getting lazier and lazier, and accepting misspellings, misuse, and just plain stupid stuff. Of course, computers CAN be used for good as well as evil. A quick Google search and the correct spelling and use of a word can be found. Yes, yes… most errors can be traced to laziness.
Of course, bloggers are well known for creating a looser language. The writing style in a blog post is supposed to sound like the writer’s voice; that is, if you’re trying to connect with the reader. You’ll notice I say ‘so’ and ‘but’ and ‘okay’ and ‘and’ a lot, so I include those words in my sentences. (My English teacher would be appalled.) But, you should sound like YOU, not your English teacher.
Okay, that said, using the right word when you write is still important. And, structuring a sentence properly is still important for the meaning you want to convey. I try not to use too many unnecessary prepositions, but, it happens. I probably use more commas than necessary, but I want the sentence to pause in the right places; sort of like I speak. And, the semi-colon is my friend.
All that said, even people writing on the internet should still at least TRY to use the right words, right?! Lazy. Just lazy. You’re right, Lisa. Thanks again for stopping by, reading, and commenting. I always appreciate YOU!
p.s. Just consider the sentence I wrote right here in this comment; “Of course, bloggers are well known for creating a looser language.” I could have ticked off a lot of fellow bloggers if I’d used the wrong word! Ha!
When I started teaching English a few years ago, I studied up, big time, on my grammar and punctuation and began finding mistakes everywhere, including the church bulletin. One Sunday, after I pointed out a comma error, Cliff said to me, (in a voice a bit too loud for church) “I’ve had it! Enough with the punctuation!” Since then, I’ve calmed down but did just catch a misplaced modifier RIGHT before Laura’s wedding invitations went to the printer.
Oopsie, Barbara. I guess everyone doesn’t get as excited about erroneous punctuation as others. tee hee In case you didn’t notice, be sure to take a look at the post I’ve linked to below. I had to laugh, then create a cartoon and a blog post. Is that getting carried away? You’ll have to share with Cliff and see what he says. Here it is: http://remarkablewrinklies.com/2010/why-commas-matter-a-hay-ride-gone-horribly-wrong/
Thanks, Barbara, for stopping by and commenting. I sure appreciate you taking the time and trouble.
i think u r gr8 no matter what
BWHAHAHAHA!!! And u, my dear OSS, r a smarty-pants! 😉 Love U!
Loved the visual! It took two readings for me to get it. Yikes! I have been ruined!
Thanks, Kate! And don’t beat yourself up too bad. I’ll tell ya… I have to pause to think A LOT when it comes to this stuff. I keep a window open on my computer all the time just to plug words into Google to make sure I’ve got it write – I mean right! Just kidding!
But, honestly, I type pretty fast and often look back to find my fair share of their/they’re/there errors, etc. Those are typos, really, but then when it comes to accept/except I have to pause, think, then type. Some word choices don’t come naturally to me. But, that’s the point, eh? It’s good to at least stop and think.
Thanks again, Kate.
I must admit I’ve become more lax with my spelling and punctuation as time has gone by. Now I write the blog pretty much like I speak, which I admit isn’t always pretty. Oh well, gotta go.
Hey there, Michele. Blogs are cool that way. I think they SHOULD be written like we talk. Our voice should be heard. So, yeah, I’m ‘gonna’ write like I talk and if ‘ya’ ‘gotta’ go ’cause’ ‘ya’ can’t take it, oh well. 😉
Thanks, Michele! GOTTA laugh!
I make errors all the time in my blog. I try to catch them, but many times they just don’t catch my eye. Sigh….I have to wait for hubby to catch them for me! But I do use spellcheck and it drives me nuts when someone doesn’t!
Thanks, Kim. Yeah, at the very least, spellcheck should be used. 😉 I like when errors are humorous. Otherwise, it really doesn’t warrant much time or attention. I’m glad you enjoyed this post. (At least your hubby reads your blog… it’s like pulling teeth trying to get my hubby to sit down and read mine. Oh well.) Thanks so much for stopping by, reading, and commenting!
My shoes always compliment my outfit. They are nice shoes. I usually get rid of the ones that insult my outfit. It’s an interesting day, though, when my shoes compliment my fries.
Yes, shoes that are insulting need to go. 😀 And, yes, my shoes and fries really don’t talk to each other, either.
Thanks for stopping, reading, and commenting. I sure enjoy the company here on the blogosphere!
I wish I could blame it on “fast typing” Patti. I do up a draft and then my proofreader thinks it’s the 4th of July! I appreciate all the errors it finds but that “Passive Voice” one drives me crazy! Like you said the post is suppose to sound like I am telling the story and not a robot. I find it hard enough not to type “eh” when I am going over the post in my own head. 🙂
Hahahahahaha,eh!? Oh Jeannette… when you spend a little time on my blog, you’ll find all sorts of ‘eh’ and ‘so’ all over the place! Being from northern Wisconsin is pretty dang close to being from Canada, eh? When people hear me talk they will often ask if I’m from Minnesota, Wisconsin, or Canada. And, it comes out ‘ticker’ when I want it to. Ha!
So, blogging is a different sort of animal. We certainly do want people to hear our voices when we write, but we also want to use the right word and punctuation to help the sentence flow smoothly. I read through my posts several times until it sounds alright, then I close my eyes and hit “publish” and call it good. I am by no means an English teacher (nor do I play one on TV), but I do find it funny that some writers don’t seem to care if they even come close to using accurate grammar, spelling, and punctuation. I like to at least come close.
I think your ‘voice’ sounds perfect. I love your writing. Don’t worry about getting your blog to read, sound, or look like a term paper for college. For the most part, just have fun with it!
Thanks again for stopping by. Stay in touch, eh?
😉