Welcome to Off the Clock â where we step away from the urgent and indulge the enduring.
Every other Saturday, I send a private note to subscribers exploring the curious corners of language, history, and the words we think we knowâbut donât.
Grammarians can be a royal pain sometimes. Iâm talking about you â yes you â right there, scrolling by.
In fairness, Iâm also talking about me. Heavy is the head that wears the crownâŠ
When youâre at a party and you hear someone utter something grammatically incorrect, itâs like a needle scratch on a record. âWait,â you think, âthat should beââ
You stop yourself with the utmost self-control, your eye twitching because you know that someone made a verbal blunder and because youâre also aware that to correct them in such a setting would out you as someone more interested in pedantry than in social graces.
And you excuse yourself to get more spinach avocado dip.
The lesson is that there is a time and a place for everything, and just there is a time to keep yourself from looking like an early-twentieth century schoolmarm, there may also be a time when improper grammar is not only acceptable, but celebrated.
Grammatically Incorrect Corporate Slogans
The following conundrums are for paying subscribers only. Unlock whatâs below with a monthly or annual subscription to support my work here. Youâll be in great company!
