Category: Most Egregious Misuse

History, MEM’s, Odds & Ends

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October 30, 2007

12:50 pm

4 Comments on History, MEM’s, Odds & Ends

Happenings, Literary Life Observations, Most Egregious Misuse, On Writing

“So why do we teach history to our children? Is it for the glow of pleasure we get when we hear their cherubic little mouths repeating the names and dates of all the kings and queens since Edward the Confessor, each battle they fought, every treaty they signed and every head they (personally) struck from renegade shoulders? Or is history principally about humanity? Understanding when leadership becomes tyranny and why holocausts and genocides happen?”

Beth Webb, author of the fabulous Star Dancer series talks about fiction having just as much importance as fact when children select books on historical fiction. Is there a such thing as misleading children with the fictional aspects of historical fiction?

OH. MY. Can you spot the SINGLE correct usage in this window?!



Harper Lee has been known for years as one of the most reclusive writers in our modern world. Her book was so timely a reminder of the realities of segregation and the equal rights struggle that she seems almost magical, or prophetic – she appeared when she was needed, and has virtually kept her silence ever since. Her Presidental Freedom Award means that she will soon get a chance to meet George Bush, and have a moment in the spotlight once more. Wouldn’t it be something if she found something else timely to say to the nation again?

DON’T miss the great cynsations interview with the very complex and thought-provoking Pooja Makhijani. She is, reportedly, “slowly working on a YA novel.” Much squealing here!

Oh, yeah, everybody’s excited over the tree-topper at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast — but do YOU have a Hanukkah bush? This would go with it perfectly.

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

History, MEM's, Odds & Ends

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October 30, 2007

12:50 pm

Leave a comment on History, MEM's, Odds & Ends

Happenings, Literary Life Observations, Most Egregious Misuse, On Writing

“So why do we teach history to our children? Is it for the glow of pleasure we get when we hear their cherubic little mouths repeating the names and dates of all the kings and queens since Edward the Confessor, each battle they fought, every treaty they signed and every head they (personally) struck from renegade shoulders? Or is history principally about humanity? Understanding when leadership becomes tyranny and why holocausts and genocides happen?”

Beth Webb, author of the fabulous Star Dancer series talks about fiction having just as much importance as fact when children select books on historical fiction. Is there a such thing as misleading children with the fictional aspects of historical fiction?

OH. MY. Can you spot the SINGLE correct usage in this window?!



Harper Lee has been known for years as one of the most reclusive writers in our modern world. Her book was so timely a reminder of the realities of segregation and the equal rights struggle that she seems almost magical, or prophetic – she appeared when she was needed, and has virtually kept her silence ever since. Her Presidental Freedom Award means that she will soon get a chance to meet George Bush, and have a moment in the spotlight once more. Wouldn’t it be something if she found something else timely to say to the nation again?

DON’T miss the great cynsations interview with the very complex and thought-provoking Pooja Makhijani. She is, reportedly, “slowly working on a YA novel.” Much squealing here!

Oh, yeah, everybody’s excited over the tree-topper at Seven Impossible Things Before Breakfast — but do YOU have a Hanukkah bush? This would go with it perfectly.

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

Most Egregious Misuse – the Central Station

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October 7, 2007

10:06 am

4 Comments on Most Egregious Misuse – the Central Station

Most Egregious Misuse, On Writing

Kidlitosphere:
You will note that I DID try not to start right out in a new place with A Bad Attitude.

Many of you may feel my linguistic nitpicking is narrow minded, tight-fisted, ham-handed — name your cliché. Many of you know that I am quite simply wrathful, sulking, pouting and ill-tempered, since so many people this weekend are out apparently having a lovefest — without ME. So, I tried to temper my temper. I tried to have The Proper Attitude, tried saying to myself “This is a new place, I shall take it as I find it,” tried whistling a happy tune — but then, this.

And the ‘taking things as I find them’ thing — went right out the window.

This is the MOST EGREGIOUS MISUSE I found today. When is that International Punctuation Day!??! Never mind next year’s Kidlitosphere Conference in Portland. We need to begin preparing to open up a can of whoop-punctuation on some people, right now…

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

Most Egregious Misuse and More

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August 9, 2007

1:01 am

2 Comments on Most Egregious Misuse and More

Most Egregious Misuse, On Writing, Random Notes and Errata

Hwy 505, just outside of Vacaville: Local Grown Peaches.
Apparently it would have killed them to add the -ly.
Oh! But there’s awesome usage news — via Bookshelves of Doom, I a.) found out about a new grammar site — and b.) discovered that they have endoresed Junie B. Jones. So huzzah – let all children rejoice – and eventually learn better grammar.

Good reporting from A.F, the social half of the group. I’m still sort of shocked that the Mirrored Disco trio didn’t win the silvery award with their blinding getup. Seriously. Did someone go Goldfinger and paint themselves?!

Via Book Moot, we may now be seeing the last Artemis Fowl. What IS it with fun series ending this year!? Why can’t they, as Hank Green sang, “last forever?”

Ooh – more books! Check out the Pay It Forward Book Exchange. Fun!

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

Egregiousness Abounding in the Filthy City

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August 2, 2007

11:27 pm

1 Comment on Egregiousness Abounding in the Filthy City

Most Egregious Misuse, On Writing

O, waily, waily…for woe is the state of the English language from one end of my fair state to the next. Or at least from the middle to the far end. Yes, friends, Romans, compatriots — it’s time once again for that annoying English major tribute, the Most Egregious Misuse, Report!

Yesterday’s M.E.M. was spotted on Highway 101, near Gilroy. It was a professionally done sign for a fruit/veg stand that sold cherries and garlic — apparently an unbeatable combination. (Ew.) The sign read, Fresh Cherries: Get ‘um now.

Um?
So, apparently ‘them’ is now spelled thum?

I won’t dwell on that, lest I am accused yet again of unfair umbrage against cherry growers — and anyway, it it today’s M.E.M. that gives my heart the most joy. This one I found only an hour ago… at Her Britannic Majesty’s Government Consular Enquiries section, on Wilshire Blvd.. Yes. You read that correctly. In the inner offices of the King’s English, there is a sign:

Courier’s, please dial 2937 for entry.

Hah! Colonist that I am, I know how to use an apostrophe.

Kidding aside, I am thrilled to have been “dear”ed and “love”d all day by the staff at the UK Visa office here in L.A. (imagine if that happened at, say, the DMV!?), and I am done, done, done with all that paperwork (for the moment)! Now after my second shower of the day (Ah, Los Angeles — it coats the skin and clogs the pores to be sure you don’t forget where you are), I am ready to sit down and get to work on finishing up what we’re doing for tomorrow’s SCBWI presentation on blogging the kidlitosphere. ‘Having Our Say’ is the title of our presentation, and we honestly plan to do so! So many of you have blogged intelligently about not only YA books, but the publishing process, their authors, and you have recommended great titles for all kinds of populations. We are proud (and okay – I am a little nervous) to represent you. Maybe next year, YOU can represent the rest of us.

And now, to work!

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

Streamers trailing, brain’s mushy; party’s over…

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June 24, 2007

3:28 am

5 Comments on Streamers trailing, brain’s mushy; party’s over…

Most Egregious Misuse, On Writing, Random Notes and Errata

Whew, you guys, what a week! My brain’s a little mushy after reveling in all of this writerly brilliance these last seven days. Thanks for dropping by for the wild week that was the Summer Blog Blast Tour. I can’t wait to do it again.

Here are a few crumbs and streamers littering the floor of my brain:

ChickenSpaghetti, linked to La Bloga, where they’re talkin’ multicultural books, which brought to mind our recent discussion with the ever-awesome Julie Anne Peters, about which groups should write which literature for whom. If the only books children see about Hispanic culture include piñatas and parties, the only books for Chinese-American children include dragons and moon cakes, and the only stories for African American children include watermelon and double-dutch… well, you see the problem? So, the only pictures we have of gay and lesbian children and teens should portray… what? And be written by whom?

(Random point: I have had people tell me that all stereotypes are based in some fact, so maybe we should all just give up and let stereotypes at least give people an entrance into the various cultures. I’m sure you already know my opinion on THAT — two words. Cop and out.)

The “bad” news is, the internet is once again destroying our culture, and we’re going to the dogs, er, the rabbits (via Original Content) – at least that’s what yet another alarmist has said. The good news is, the Carnival is in town! Check out the offerings at A Year of Reading. I love the little newspaper dealies they concocted. Very cool.

Salon‘s talking graphic novels, and NPR This Morning interviewed Shannon Hale about Austenland. Shriek! MUST read that book! I’m so jealous of EVERYONE WHO ALREADY HAS. (Ahem, LW and whichever other of my bookstore/librarian Cybils sisters who have been DISCUSSING IT WITHOUT ME. Ahem!)

It’s time again for another M.E.M. report – the Most Egregious Misuse of the English language I saw today was on 9th Street in my Very Own Town. Some civic-minded people have taken it upon themselves to plant signs in their front lawns, advising others to drive carefully. “Slow it Down!” one sign urges. “Drive Safe.”

SIGH.

My kingdom for an adverb. L-Y. Is it really that hard!?
Of course not, but we most often hear that phrase, and it no longer matters that for that misuse I got red check-marks on my papers in school. Okay. I can accept that. It’s wrong, but I can accept that.

At any rate, I had to save my most annoyed huffing for the next house. Its pastel-painted sign read, “15 mph~! Drive neighborly!”

There are no WORDS. I mean, I guess it could have been worse if they’d tried to parse it “Drive neighborly-ly,” but… OY. Adverbs: the most misused part of speech yet.

All right, coming down off the soapbox until next time.

Thank y’all for contributing to a great week.

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

Streamers trailing, brain's mushy; party's over…

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June 24, 2007

3:28 am

Leave a comment on Streamers trailing, brain's mushy; party's over…

Most Egregious Misuse, On Writing, Random Notes and Errata

Whew, you guys, what a week! My brain’s a little mushy after reveling in all of this writerly brilliance these last seven days. Thanks for dropping by for the wild week that was the Summer Blog Blast Tour. I can’t wait to do it again.

Here are a few crumbs and streamers littering the floor of my brain:

ChickenSpaghetti, linked to La Bloga, where they’re talkin’ multicultural books, which brought to mind our recent discussion with the ever-awesome Julie Anne Peters, about which groups should write which literature for whom. If the only books children see about Hispanic culture include piñatas and parties, the only books for Chinese-American children include dragons and moon cakes, and the only stories for African American children include watermelon and double-dutch… well, you see the problem? So, the only pictures we have of gay and lesbian children and teens should portray… what? And be written by whom?

(Random point: I have had people tell me that all stereotypes are based in some fact, so maybe we should all just give up and let stereotypes at least give people an entrance into the various cultures. I’m sure you already know my opinion on THAT — two words. Cop and out.)

The “bad” news is, the internet is once again destroying our culture, and we’re going to the dogs, er, the rabbits (via Original Content) – at least that’s what yet another alarmist has said. The good news is, the Carnival is in town! Check out the offerings at A Year of Reading. I love the little newspaper dealies they concocted. Very cool.

Salon‘s talking graphic novels, and NPR This Morning interviewed Shannon Hale about Austenland. Shriek! MUST read that book! I’m so jealous of EVERYONE WHO ALREADY HAS. (Ahem, LW and whichever other of my bookstore/librarian Cybils sisters who have been DISCUSSING IT WITHOUT ME. Ahem!)

It’s time again for another M.E.M. report – the Most Egregious Misuse of the English language I saw today was on 9th Street in my Very Own Town. Some civic-minded people have taken it upon themselves to plant signs in their front lawns, advising others to drive carefully. “Slow it Down!” one sign urges. “Drive Safe.”

SIGH.

My kingdom for an adverb. L-Y. Is it really that hard!?
Of course not, but we most often hear that phrase, and it no longer matters that for that misuse I got red check-marks on my papers in school. Okay. I can accept that. It’s wrong, but I can accept that.

At any rate, I had to save my most annoyed huffing for the next house. Its pastel-painted sign read, “15 mph~! Drive neighborly!”

There are no WORDS. I mean, I guess it could have been worse if they’d tried to parse it “Drive neighborly-ly,” but… OY. Adverbs: the most misused part of speech yet.

All right, coming down off the soapbox until next time.

Thank y’all for contributing to a great week.

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.

Most Egregious Misuse – the M.E.M. Awards

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June 1, 2007

6:58 am

6 Comments on Most Egregious Misuse – the M.E.M. Awards

Most Egregious Misuse, On Writing

All RIGHT, that’s it, that’s it, that is IT!
From now on, I am a woman on a mission. The madness MUST stop.

I know people fear adverbs, but things like the State of Washington (and apparently the state of Texas and New Jersey) wanting me to “Drive Friendly” and Apple wanting me to “Think Different” can’t go unpunished forever. From now on, I am on the lookout for you linguistic scofflaws. There may be nothing I can do except EXPOSE you for your… mangling misdemeanors, but I will, darn you all! I will!

Just say STOP!
This afternoon, I saw a Furry Friend’s Pet Grooming sign. I thought, “Okay, that one could have been just a mistake of writing too quickly on a window… except that a.) it’s on a window. Anything painted on glass can be removed or corrected. Then I realized that b.)… it’s on the license plate holder of the owner’s car. Perhaps also in the phone book. Oh dear. Perhaps their name is Furry Friend?

But the MOST Egregious Mis-punctuation of the Day I had to look at three times to be sure it was as bad as I thought. It is indeed quite as bad, and it wins today for All-round Most Egregious English Mangling Misuse: several handmade signs seen on Interstate I-80, outside of Dixon: Fresh, Ripe Cherrie‘s…!

Ladies and gentlemen: there are no words.

All content (unless otherwise attributed) is © Copyright Tanita S. Davis and may not be reproduced in any form.