William Shunn : Inhuman Swill : language archives

Don't knock it

I was reading a major novel from a major genre publisher last night (okay, it was Half the Blood of Brooklyn by Charlie Huston, from Del Rey), when a character suddenly "knocked" an arrow into his bowstring.

Not to knock the book's copy editor, but the nock is the notch at the end of the arrow into which the bowstring fits. When you slide the arrow into place against the string, you have nocked it.

But this was also a book where "puss" leaks from one character's eyes, so maybe I shouldn't snatch at hopes that the copy-editing will improve.

grammar | language | pet peeves | usage | writing

Posted by William Shunn on January 28, 2008 6:42 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

It's quizzing its users

Via affinity8:

You Scored an A

You got 10/10 questions correct.

It's pretty obvious that you don't make basic grammatical errors.
If anything, you're annoyed when people make simple mistakes on their blogs.
As far as people with bad grammar go, you know they're only human.
And it's humanity and its current condition that truly disturb you sometimes.

The It's Its There Their They're Quiz

grammar | language | memes | quizzes

Posted by William Shunn on September 14, 2007 4:02 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Language with a thud

The website for Rise: Blood Hunter proudly proclaims:

From The Producers of The "The Grudge" Franchise

Read that out loud. I dare you.

language | movie | unlovely language

Posted by William Shunn on May 31, 2007 5:31 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

That's why I'm a righter

Via deadscrypt:

English Genius

You scored 100% Beginner, 100% Intermediate, 100% Advanced, and 80% Expert!

You did so extremely well, even I can't find a word to describe your excellence! You have the uncommon intelligence necessary to understand things that most people don't. You have an extensive vocabulary, and you're not afraid to use it properly! Way to go!

Thank you so much for taking my test. I hope you enjoyed it!

For the complete Answer Key, visit my blog: http://shortredhead78.blogspot.com/

My test tracked 4 variables How you compared to other people your age and gender:

You scored higher than 99% on Beginner
You scored higher than 99% on Intermediate
You scored higher than 99% on Advanced
You scored higher than 99% on Expert

Link: The Commonly Confused Words Test written by shortredhead78 on OkCupid Free Online Dating, home of the 32-Type Dating Test

Posted by William Shunn on August 29, 2006 12:40 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Discretion a virtue, and spelling too

In a recent Craigslist posting, a dominant male businessman requests a Secretary-like secretary who, in addition to being able to take dictation and a good paddling with equal aplomb, must be discrete.

One presumes that this distinct and differentiated individual will also be discerning and prudent enough to gently inform her new ~~master~~ boss that the word he's looking for is discreet.

(Via Gawker.)

grammar | language | spelling | writing

Posted by William Shunn on April 18, 2006 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Tense and dangling

Would you say the past tense of podcast—and the past participle, for that matter—is podcast or podcasted? My vote is podcast.

grammar | language | podcasts | radio | writing

Posted by William Shunn on February 23, 2006 2:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Onomatokœia

The word awkward is rather awkward to type.

language | typing | words | writing

Posted by William Shunn on January 29, 2006 10:25 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

And next I will vote against support for not supporting staying inside the outside of Iraq

I just received email from John Kerry which said, in part:

Monday, I shared with you my Brown University speech setting out what needs to be said and done at this critical moment for our country. Today, in that same spirit of clarity and conviction, I want to tell you how I will vote on the nomination of John Roberts to serve as Chief Justice of the United States.
I will vote against this vitally important nomination.

Excuse me, Senator? It's vitally important yet you're voting against it?

Okay, yes, I know what you're trying to say, but clarity, please! You sound like a Saturday Night Live parody of yourself.

language | malapropisms | politics

Posted by William Shunn on September 21, 2005 12:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

And they smear it all around

I've always been fascinated by the continuum where language, thought, and sensation intertwine, and how it's possible for them together to create in essence a subjective reality. For instance, how is it that words alone, spoken in a movie like The Aristocrats, can induce such phyiscal spasms of nausea?

This is not to criticize The Aristcrats, a movie I thoroughly enjoyed, and which had me laughing until, in pain, I couldn't catch my breath. If I didn't already love Bob Saget after his guest appearance on Entourage, his rendition of the joke would have made me a convert. It certainly made me forget Full House. And Gilbert Gottfried. I never thought I'd say this, but damn.

Not Howie Mandel, though. That guy's just not funny, even with a shaved head.

language | mind | movies | obscenity | profanity

Posted by William Shunn on September 3, 2005 12:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Report from a conference call

If I hear the phrase core competencies one more time, I may pound the receiver repeatedly against my desk.

Don't even get me started on the fact that our meeting has been labeled a visioning session.

language | work

Posted by William Shunn on August 29, 2005 2:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

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Inhuman Swill

language

January 28, 2008

Don't knock it

September 14, 2007

It's quizzing its users

May 31, 2007

Language with a thud

August 29, 2006

That's why I'm a righter

April 18, 2006

Discretion a virtue, and spelling too

February 23, 2006

Tense and dangling

January 29, 2006

Onomatokœia

September 21, 2005

And next I will vote against support for not supporting staying inside the outside of Iraq

September 3, 2005

And they smear it all around

August 29, 2005

Report from a conference call

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