BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: lady penelope
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:31 AM

Wow, coo, well I never, never has my flabber been so gasted. This is how grammer should be taught, it's way more fun!! :-) ****G****

TTFN M'Lady P.

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 09:40 AM

Yeah, ain't it like way cool when someone goes like, "This is something Ican't get enough of," and that kind of stuff?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Fortunato
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 10:04 AM

Billy, Biillllllllllllllly Grammer, you come away from that goddamn parsing or diagraming or whatever the hell it is. Come in here and practice your guitar, boy. Howinell do you 'spect to be a musician if all you do is grammar, Grammer?

Hee, hee. Fortunato

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 10:37 AM

to be fair to Tyke, who wrote 'get passed' ..(not guest)...he/she explained that a spell checker WAS used in the post, which explains why 'passed' was not caught.

It is quite true that some people have dyslexia and other learning difficulties which make it frustrating and tedious to cope with grammar & spelling...but at least those spell checkers ARE available. What I do not understand is why some refuse to use one, or to use the SHIFT key, instead of typing like ee cummings.

(I also do wonder, Tyke...seriously, no ridicule implied...how one comes to type 'passed' when 'past' is meant. This is something other than simple misspelling. I am curious as to what those words mean when you are reading. Do you see them differently? If you read a sentence like "She past away the time knitting", do you see a problem? Or, "He reflected on his passed?".....to me, those jump off the page and SCREAM at me, but it seems not to trigger anything for some....I wish I understood better.)

Since I am NOT a good typist...(yeah...two fingers), I often hit 'submit message', and just as it is about to go, I see some error too late to correct it..(often a 't' instead of a 'y', my most common error)...but if I have typed a longer post, I use a spell-checker which avoids the worst of these mistakes. (and yes, there IS one which works pretty well right in this box, with no need to type it in a word processor first!)

*sigh*...there is a fine line between ridicule and well meaning, but humorous commentary, but if everyone would read and RE read Genie's post a few times...and take it to heart, we might all see some of the issues better!

Fine points, Genie! "Wildwood Flour" *giggle*

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Amos
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 10:46 AM

Have you tried biscuits made with that Sweet Wildwood Flour?
Guaranteed, they'll stay with you, for over an hour!
They're sturdy, they're solid, like rocks in a creek
But not recommended if your digestion is weak!

(Fade to incredibly cliched guitar riff...)

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: catspaw49
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 10:59 AM

Those biscuits I ate made from Sweet Wildwood Flour,
Hit my stomach like lead, I felt grumpy and dour.
Seven days have gone by and it's relief I seek
'Cause I'm all bloated up, I ain't shit in a week.

....chiched guitar riff continues......

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 11:04 AM

CarolC - Coitus interruptus??? Man, talk about thread hijacking!

Kat - It is a basic and very important teaching in Taoism that a man is best off not to frequently "spill his seed" after his teens and early twenties, but to conserve it by restricting not sex, but having orgasms during sex. I believe the same notion is found in a great many other Asian traditions as well. So...they teach methods of self-control during sex, so as to prevent ejaculation and conserve the creative energies. Females, on the other hand, are encouraged to have all the orgasms they please, since they do not lose much (if any) energy in the process. For a more complete explanation, consult the excellent book "The Tao of Health, Sex, and Longevity". I believe these teachings are largely correct in their assertions regarding both maintaining health and creative powers, but it's a complex subject, so I suggest to anyone who's interested that they read the book, as I don't feel up to typing out another 500 lines explaining it all.

The interesting thing about the oriental traditions of China and Japan is that they viewed sex primarily as a health issue rather than a moral one. Very sensible of them, I think.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: GUEST,Leftykin
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 11:24 AM

Wilde Mountin' Time

O the summertime is come
And the leeves are sweetley blumeing
And the Wilde Mountin' Time
Blowes arownd the perple Hether
Will yew go Lassy go?

And we'll awl go tewgether
Too pull Wilde Mountin' Time
All arownd the perple Hether
Will yew go Lassy go?

I will bild my luv a bauer
At the foot of yander fount in
And up on it I'll put
All the flours of the mountin'
Will yew go Lassy go?

And we'll awl go tewgether
Too pull Wilde Mountin' Time
All arownd the perple Hether
Will yew go Lassy go?

If my troo love she wont go
I will shoorely find a nother
Too pull Wilde Mountin' Time
Awl arouwnd the perple Hether
Will yew go Lassy go?

And we'll awl go tewgether
Too pull Wilde Mountin' Time
All arownd the perple Hether
Will yew go Lassy go?

NOw how come I cant fynd this faymous song in the dijital tradition? It's an outrage! Yew peeple call yerselfs a folk and blues forrum. Ha! - Leftykin

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Wolfgang
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 11:53 AM

Leftykin,

you seem to know a lot of fine songs. Thanks. Maybe you can help me with this: It's about a female drummer and it has the line Many a knight in the guard room I have laid. I seem to be unable to locate it.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:04 PM

Oh....my...God...

ROTFLMAO!!!

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: GUEST,Leftykin
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 12:32 PM

SOLDIER MADE

When I was a fare made at the age of sweet sixteen
From my parents I did run away a soldjier to became
I enlysted in the army a soldjier for to bee
And they learned me too play upon the rubadubadee

With my nice cape and fethers if you only could have seed
You'd have swore in your very hart a yonge man I had beed
With my gentel waste so slender and my fingers long and small
I could rattle up the rubadubadee the best of them awl

Oh many is the prank I plaiyed upon the feeld
And many was the young man his love tool me reveeled
Many a prank have I seen among the French
And so boldly I fought, though only a wench

With my regimental at the front all times I might have been
With the brave Duke of York at the siege of Valley Green
But was flavored by my officer for feer I mite bee slane
I was sent back home to England back for recrooting back again

Many a knight in the guard room I have laid
I never was afraid to lie down with the men
At the pulling off my breeches I oftimes gave a smile
To think I laid with a whole regiment, and made em all the while

They might never have been knowne until this very hour
But they sent me up to London to keep sedentary in the Tower
A lady fell in love with me, I told her I was made
She went too my osiffer, and my secret she beetrayed

My orfficer sent for me to see if that was troo
I told him that it was - What else could I do?
I told him it was and he smiled at me and sayed
It's a pity for to loose you, such a dummer as you, made

But fore your valyiant conduit at the seiege of Valley Green
A bounty you shall get my girl, a bounty from the king
But shood the wars arise again and the King be wanting men
I'll put on my regimentals and I'll fight in them agen

Is that the one? - Leftkin

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Wolfgang
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 01:15 PM

You've mate my date, Leffkind, that's the song exactly with the line I remember. I've searched for years, but I didn't have the write title. Thanks aloft.

Wolfgag

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Jeri
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 01:40 PM

I could care less about how people write as long as I can understand what their saying. I make enough misteaks myself, and some folks don't write so good. I've done the "who's/whose" thing by accident - I get irritated with myself because I know better. Honestly though, if we pick out every boo-boo, that's all we'll ever talk about. If we pick on really bad spellers or grammaticators, they'll give up and we could miss some great contributions.

(Please note that there are mistakes in most of the posts talking about other people's mistakes. Ironic, ain't it?)

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 01:55 PM

Yeah, like, how much less could you care, Jeri? A lot less or just a little less? I tend to focus less on things I care more about than more on things I care less about, unless the lesser things are more or less of a problem than more of one...more or less.

Some people couldn't care less...mostly people born over 35 years ago. Since then there has been a vast proliferation of people who could care less (so they say), but are unable to explain why.

These people have more in common with those who couldn't care less than they are usually willing to admit.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:01 PM

"Love, oh love, oh care-less love,
I care less for you that you for me.
I was born before the baby boom,
So less caring's just a part of me"

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: X
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:08 PM

All I want's to know is "who's on first?"

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: X
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:11 PM

All I want's to know is "who's on first?"

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Little Hawk
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 02:40 PM

He's on second.

- LH

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: GUEST,Songster Bob
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 03:15 PM

Your all a bunch of loosers!

Bob Clayton

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Amos
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 03:19 PM

Petless is just another word for nothing left to loose, Bob.

Gyro

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Bill D
Date: 08 Nov 01 - 08:23 PM

pooh! you just envy my songwriting skills, Bob..*grin*

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Genie
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 01:05 AM

Thanks for noticing (and concurring, and expounding), Bill D.
Genie

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Genie
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 01:24 AM

BTW, Bill D. ( and others),
It's not just dyslexia that leads to errors. I, for example, am very good at spelling, but when I am not paying attention, I often make errors (like the "past," "passed" thing), because I tend to be an auditory processor.

If and when I proofread, I usually catch the mistake -- but not always. I once put together an Irish-American sing-along book for my retirement home clients and included the song "Cockles and Muscles!" It is not that I did not know the difference, but I probably proofread it by hearing the words as I read them, more than by seeing how they were spelled. I did not see that error until a couple of years later, when one of the residents pointed it out to me -- at which point it was perfectly obvious to me, and I felt very silly! I relate this tale partly to emphasize that wishing our country's language skills were not deteriorating does not imply snobbery. We all make mistakes unless we proofread and sometimes even when we do. It is the unwillingness to improve that troubles me. Also, the unwillingness to proofread even when doing something like posting a song on the net.

Genie

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: GUEST,Boab
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 03:49 AM

A spell checker?---An AMERICAN spell checker?????? Red ink all over the place! :-)

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 07:28 AM

OK--so everybody admits to making mistakes. Everyone agrees there are plenty of mistakes in their own posts. That even when they are good spellers and grammarians, AND proofread, they miss a few of the commonly made errors.

Like who's for whose. Passed for past.

So, my still angry retort is, why start a thread pointing out those errors, arrogantly assuming that people aren't willing to correct mistakes, improve their language skills, etc when the plain fact of the matter is that to do so in social settings (like this forum) IS REALLY GODDAMN RUDE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 07:44 AM

Guest, the origintor of the thread wrote:

"Henry, this thread is not about intolerance, it is about humour among a rather bizarre group of old folkies who mostly know each other well enough not to make the mistake of taking any of it that seriously."

I assume that means that the original intention was to draw "witicisms" from said group rather than to enter any serious conversation on the subject or make serious compliants.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 07:57 AM

As I see it, whether you correct someone's spelling misconceptions (NB"misconceptions" , anybody can make "mistakes" ) or not, is pretty much the same moral dilemma as whether you tell a total stranger that he is wandering around with his fly open ...................

Murray

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 08:01 AM

And how are people who are not among "the bizarre group of old folkies who know each other" to be expected to know that?

This is a public Internet discussion forum. The rules of netiquette apply here. We have the rules of etiquette for JUST THIS VERY REASON.

But if some of you wish to continue insisting there is nothing wrong with starting threads for the sole purpose of arrogantly insulting other posters' bad grammar and spelling, because it is "just a joke" or is done "among friends" I'm sure you will continue to do it.

Some people will always insist on sticking to the low road.

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Wolfgang
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 08:08 AM

And how are people who are not among "the bizarre group of old folkies who know each other" to be expected to know that?

For instance, by Little Hawk's last sentence about 'Cletus' which makes clear that it is an insider joke.

Wolfgang

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 08:10 AM

No Murray, in Internet social settings, telling someone they have bad spelling/grammar is the equivalent of saying "look at how stupid so-and-so is everybody!"

That is why every set of netiquette rules I've ever read tells us not to do that. Because it is rude, not to mention cruel, to humiliate and publicly shame people.

It matters not if a majority of Mudcat regulars decide it is just fine to do that here, so long as it is done by one of their beloved members. It still puts the lot of you in with the worst sorts of people on the Internet in terms of your manners.

But not to worry--rude people are definitely the on-line majority nowadays, so you'll have plenty of company.

This has nothing to do with pedantry BTW, it has to do with manners and simple decency to one's fellow posters.

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Jon Freeman
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 08:12 AM

Wolfgang, I would recognise that but let's not forget there are always new people passing through who are not aware of such things.

Jon

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Murray MacLeod
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 08:43 AM

GUEST, it never happens here, really it doesn't. There are two or three members here who have obvious learning difficulties, and no one has ever written in and said "Jeez, aren't you thick? ".

But IMHO it is a different matter to point out gently to somebody who, for example, habitually writes "loose" instead of "lose" that he or she is committing an error. Just my opinion, you are entitled to disagree.

Murray

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: GUEST
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 08:53 AM

Murray,

And netiquette doesn't take into account "here" or "there" arguments. It simply says, examine your reasons for wanting to point out other peoples' mistakes and weaknesses publicly. Netiquette says, do it privately via email, or if that is not possible, don't do it at all.

Apparently, many of you are also oblivious as to how it makes *you* look for pointing out peoples' mistakes/weaknesses, and/or stridently defending the people who do.

But like I said, some will insist on sticking to the low road as a means of saving face, rather than changing course by doing the gracious thing, and apologizing for having caused offense to anyone with their insensitive remarks.

But hey--I'm tired of playing netiquette cop here. Insult whomever you please, and slap the people down who call you on it. Like I said, I'm sure you will be in the majority here, as you would be anywhere on the Internet.

Everyone knows that might makes you right.

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Bat Goddess
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 02:05 PM

Genie -- you can't proofread your own work, no matter how good you are. The brain sees what you want to see, not what is actually there. This has been proven "scientifically" any number of times and is well known in the graphic arts industy. And if you are checking the specifications, you will more than likely interpret them the same way you originally did. And those of us who started out as trade typographers also know that you go for speed, not accuracy. Typos are caught by the proofreader and corrected in the second galley run. It's too slow to go back and correct them in the first run.

Bat Goddess

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: GUEST,Leila
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 02:29 PM

Things that drive me 'round the bend:

Your when they mean you're You're when they mean your

Too when they mean to To when they mean too

LibARY!! There's an 'R' in there people!!

"Let me axe you sumthin". - No! Don't AXE me!

"I don't got no libAry books, I jus' wanna use these 'puters."

"Where's Joe at?"

"Whatcha gonna dethaw for supper?"

Oh, there are so many. English is a very strange language, mostly because it is a language made by cramming in bits and pieces from several different languages over at least three different language families. It is also not a very static language, new words from other languages are constantly being added.

That being said, some butcher the language more than others.

Cheers, Leila

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: catspaw49
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 03:00 PM

Gee Leila, I bet Cletus' posts drive you nuts huh?

Spaw

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 03:44 PM

Guest, as I said previously none of the posts I have read are critical on a personal level, however I will make an exception to this rule for your benefit. I think you are a pompous prig!!!!!!!!!! Jock

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: GUEST,PeteBoom (Back at work after setting up 4 a
Date: 09 Nov 01 - 10:04 PM

I hate it when people take things like comments here personally - IRREGARDLESS of who starts it....

gads I bust myself up.... TWICE in the same thread I said the same word... hee hee hee hee hee roflmao....

Subject: RE: BS: STOP writing 'Who's'! Enough!!!
From: Chip2447
Date: 10 Nov 01 - 04:37 AM

HMMMMMM, I'm wondering, is the term anal retentive supposed to be hyphenated? Chip2447