Random observations

Whilst in Brentwood today I noticed the sign in a shop window, that you can see to the left. The question that came to mind was, "Why the quotation marks?"

It's an increasing tendency to use quotation marks when they are not needed. So in my pedantic way, can I plead for people to not use quotation marks if they are not quoting from someone or something. It's quite simple really!

Then I bought a packet of sugar and I love the label! This is taking "serving suggestion" to the extreme - a sugar bowl and sugar spoon, each with sugar in it. I suppose they would say that people might assume the bowl and spoon were included if they didn't put those words in. All I ask is, "Has the nation's IQ dropped that much in recent years?"

On the other hand, my grandmother said that a picture is worth a thousand words. But what about those pictures that supposedly give you instructions? At the moment I'm often loading the washing machine. It's taken me months to work out what those silly symbols on clothes mean. I think I now know whether or not to tumble dry and whether you can dry clean a garment, but I'm not sure!

And take the long life bulb we recently purchased. The side is pictured below. Now I understand the two ticked boxes, but what on earth does the one with the cross mean? Is it, "Don't use when you are wearing black and white headphones"?

It's been suggested it means you can't use the bulb on a timer. Well, that's possible, but if that's the case, I've got a novel idea! Why not just write on the packet, "Do not use with a timer."

Or maybe even a picture of a timer connected to the bulb and the words, "Not a serving suggestion." Without the quotation marks, of course.

Miscellany

It's been a while since I've blogged and a number of things have caught my eye, so thought it was time to update all of you out there.

My wife had an appointment to go to the "Ophthalmic Department" of Orsett Hospital. When she arrived and asked for the Ophthalmic Department, she was told to follow the signs for the eye clinic! Is this another case of dumbing down? Or maybe it's just a way of cutting the cost of those signs!

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On the one hand I don't want to go on about misuse of apostrophes, but on the other hand ... Painted on the window of a nearby pub that does food are the words, "All your need's catered for!" Clever use of 'catered', pity about the apostrophe. I want to ask, "What about my needs to read correct grammar?

Then, again within a mile of home, I found this wonderful sign up on the window of a shop that was closing down. It's pictured here, but you will probably need to click on the picture to see a larger image in order to read the all important small writing on the green poster.


It's pretty rotten really. It means if you buy a left shoe, you have to buy the right one as well!

More English Misdemeanors!

You may remember my examples of poor punctuation found on signs within about a mile of where we live. See
http://ericgreymatters.blogspot.com/2008/03/im-fan-of-lynne-truss-who-wrote-eats.html

Well, I've been out again for some more English misdemeanors. Here are two, still within a mile of where we live. Click on the picture to obtain a larger image. First of all, we need to remember we aren't living in America! We spell it "Centre" over this side of the pond.

And then the troublesome apostrophe. I don't particularly like contracting 'and' to the single letter 'n', but if we must, it needs to have an apostrophe before to signify the 'a' is missing and after to signify the 'd' is missing. In other words, it should read Fish 'n' chips. Having said that, the fish and chips the shop sells are brilliant! So I don't hold the slip-up against them!

Even as I walked down the road before I took the pictures, what should be coming towards me but a car towing one of those mobile food outlets you often find at open air fairs, etc. We saw it earlier this summer and I took this picture.

If you haven't worked it out, it's 'confectionery'. Never mind, I'm sure the sweets are very nice!

That's the end of round two of my one-man attempt to improve the nation's English. Well, it's worth a try!

Let's hear it for the apostrophe!

I'm a fan of Lynne Truss who wrote "Eats, Shoots & Leaves", subtitled "The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation". This is a guide to proper use of punctuation, with plenty of examples of its misuse! She tells that she found out some time ago there is an Apostrophe Protection Society. However, they are too courteous for her. She says she would be a member of their militant wing if they had one!


I, too am one of those people who want to preserve the correct use of English. So I tend to spot signs that are grammatically incorrect, or in some other way offend my sensibilities!



I suddenly realised that within the space of under a mile I had spotted five errors! Admittedly one was chalked up on a pub blackboard - "potatoe". Ouch! But now they've changed the menu, thank goodness! I've taken some photos, as you can see, and you may like to try to spot where the incorrect use of the Queen's English has taken place (click on a photo to see a larger image).


Let me say that I haven't included the sign at our local Somerfields which tells us that at the one checkout the maximum in your basket must be "6 item's".

In case you need explanations, here they are. First of all, of course, the apostrophe. It should be "Members' Car Park" (unless it only has one member, then the apostrophe is before the 's'.)

Next up, oh dear! "License" is the verb form, i.e. "to license" but "Licence" is the noun and should be used here. Unless, that is you are in America, then either will do.

Next is an interesting one. CCTV stands for "closed circuit television". The circuit isn't close as opposed to far away, but closed as opposed to open.





Admittedly the antique shop has been closed for quite some time and I'm sure it didn't close because of the incorrect use of quotation marks! However, suffice it to say that "bric-a-brac" actually uses dashes.


Finally, let us end on the famous "greengrocer's apostrophe"! Perhaps they did it on purpose to encourage people to go in. Can I say that it's a brilliant shop and you should go in!



Well, there we are. I'm sure I will find more devastating debasements of English. If I have my camera with me, I might even take a picture!