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General => The Shed => Topic started by: tim on January 13, 2004, 14:17:39

Title: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: tim on January 13, 2004, 14:17:39
Spelling and punctuation have always fascinated me.
But even at this great age, I still find need to resort to the dictionary at least 3 times a day. Typewriting is so different from handwriting?

I notice that I'm not the only one (I feel that I can  mention this without offence?) - especially with the apostrophe. So - daughter told me about this book - and it arrived today.  I'm not a great reader, but this really hit the spot.

'Eats, Shoots and Leaves' by Lynne Truss. I'd heard the 'bar story' and thought it v funny - but even better as a title.

May I seriously recommend that anyone with any doubt - or even in need of a bit of fun - should use their AMAZON button, that Dan has so thoughtfully given us - and give it a whirl?? = Tim
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: aquilegia on January 13, 2004, 14:34:41
My dad's got that book too, so I must borrow it off him one day. We're both fascinated by language. As an ex-editor, I'm constantly frustrated/amused by misuse of our beautiful language (although I must admit I cannot spell!)
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: Mrs Ava on January 13, 2004, 14:43:17
Oh no!!!  My spelling is atrocious, and punctuation even worse!  I have no recollection of being taught when to use apostrophes during my school years.  I apologise if my jumbled use of the English language offends or confuses, I blame my 50% Devonshire genes and 50% sowf London genes!   ;D
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: MagpieDi on January 13, 2004, 17:16:01
Blimey!!.....Don't apologise EJ!!..........each and every one of us makes mistakes!!.....the only one I know of who is nigh on perfect is..................... playing truant at the mo' !!!  ;)  ;)  ;D  ;D



:-*  :-*  :-*  :-*              for yoooo hooo !!!   come back soon!!
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: cleo on January 13, 2004, 17:26:47
I am only now learning how to touch type-well that`s my excuse and I am sticking to it. A tate by any other name?

Stephan.
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: Garden Manager on January 13, 2004, 17:30:37
I am usualy a good speller, but often the brain works faster than i can type and end up with spelling mistakes that are due to typing errors, nothing more.  I do try to check but invariably some get missed. Sorry!
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: tim on January 13, 2004, 19:15:09
DO hope NOONE took that personally.

Punctuation I shall continue to use to suit myself - it's fun having that freedom;  but I have never been able to think  'apostrophes'. = Tim

(http://www.hpphoto.com/servlet/LinkPhoto?GUID=1a905e7f-d3fc-6087-44f9-6add488b6709&size=lg)          Well, it made me chuckle!

This, btw, is the back cover of the book.
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: Muddy_Boots on January 13, 2004, 21:02:33
Me too!  Could apply to people too!  (not necessarily with weapon though!)  ;D

Kate
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: mysticmog on January 13, 2004, 22:30:15
This one was passed on by a nice training lady I work with...

Would love to know which way you all punctuate it..


Without punctuation

Woman without her man is nothing

Let me know how you read it....with the relevant punctuation.

Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: ina on January 13, 2004, 22:47:59
Ah Tim, I like that panda story, thanks.

About language. I have noticed that nowadays, spelling and punctuation seem much less important than it used to be. I am far from perfect (in any of the languages I speak) but at work I am sometimes appalled by the spelling and puctuation errors. I, and others from my generation (ahum), did notice that it is usually the younger people who write sloppy and seem not at all fazed by gross mistakes. Could it be that speed and getting your point across is all that matters and everything else is a waste of effort and time? -ina
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: Palustris on January 13, 2004, 23:09:28
Because we taught our daughters to use punctuation and the rules of spelling (obscure as they are) they are far better than many of their generation. Lucie was amazed at the number of students reading English who knew less about Grammar than she did. 'Tis a sad stae of affairs, tut..tut tut. (Old age creeping in there)
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: MagpieDi on January 13, 2004, 23:26:26
Well, Mystic...as a woman...there is only one way I read it!!!

Woman, without her, man is nothing!!!   ;)  ;D

Typically, men would only insert one comma in a different place !!!  ::)
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: SueT on January 13, 2004, 23:35:47
You beat me to it MagpieDi!  ;D
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: Ragged Robin on January 13, 2004, 23:37:45
The others beat me to it thats how I read it.
Title: Re: At ? LAST:.....!!
Post by: ciaozzy on January 14, 2004, 02:23:46
Yo peeps

cant stay away and have copied all I have to onto hard disks..
and didn't take half as long as I thought it would... ;)

Women without her man is nothing


hmmmmmmm ower David fro the beeb boards would disagree..

WOMAN;WITHOUT;HER,MAN;IS.NOTHING
 


Wur-ur-ur-maaaahn, without her, man is nu-uh-uh-fing..

I dont know owt about punctuation and believe it or not my psychology essay on comformity and obedience was full of errors yet it pist it.. got 80%. not bad for 1st ever essay.... spooling I iz dead gud at, as eye have a whey wif letturs :)

Oz

xxx