Eats, Shoots & Leaves

***Khamûl*** · 07-28-2004, 01:45 AM

Eats, Shoots & Leaves (The Zero Tolerance Approach to Punctuation)

Has anyone read this hilarious book by Lynne Truss? I bought it today and am in the process of reading it now.

Quote:

Either this will ring a bell for you, or it won't. A printed banner has appeared on the concourse of a petrol station near to where I live. "Come inside," it says, "for CD's, VIDEO's, DVD's, and BOOK's."

If this satanic sprinkling of redundant apostrophes causes no little gasp of horror or quickening of the pulse, you should probably put down this book at once. By all means congratulate yourself that you are not a pedant or even a stickler; that you are happily equipped to live in a world of plummeting punctuation standards; but just don't bother to go any further. For any true stickler, you see, the sight of the plural word "Book's" with an apostrophe in it will trigger a ghastly private emotional process similar to the process of bereavement, though greatly accelerated. First there is shock. Within seconds, shock gives way to disbelief, disbelief to pain, and pain to anger. Finally (and this is where the analogy breaks down), anger gives way to a righteous urge to perpetrate an act of criminal damage with the aid of a permanent marker.

This was on the first page. I read it and knew that this was the book for me, since I often remark on the misuse of "it's" and "its" and other grammar/punctuation. If it applies to you too, I recommend picking it up. I've laughed out loud reading it.

sun-star · 07-28-2004, 03:19 AM

It's a great book! I second that recommendation for all grammar Nazis

Mercutio · 07-28-2004, 04:23 PM

My mom (a copy-editor) just got this book from a friend. It's really funny. However, Oxford English grammar is different from American grammar, so it doesn't help us Americans too much gramamatically (rather just humorous). I'll dig up the article.

*rats* I have to subscribe to get the online version. It was in the Financial Times.

Wait...here it is in The New Yorker. I think it is the same article.

Book Reveiw from the New Yorker

***Khamûl*** · 07-29-2004, 12:48 AM

I finished this book today and I loved it. I don't think I've ever really considered the importance of the placement of commas. What really made me think was the example of the profound doctrinal difference of the thief on the cross. Great book.

Sticklers unite!

Elfmaster XK · 07-29-2004, 04:43 PM

I've read this! It's brilliant, and at points made me laugh loudly in the middle of silent rooms with some of the errors people make. My friend found particular amusement about the in-tray belonging to a person named Dick.

And really...it's and its aren't that difficult to grasp.

***Khamûl*** · 07-30-2004, 12:51 AM

Hahaha "Dicks in tray". That bit was brilliant. You really need that dash.

***Rían*** · 08-02-2004, 06:04 PM

I've heard about this book - it sounds really funny!

(and yes, book's used as a plural makes me cringe!!)

katya · 08-04-2004, 01:39 AM

One time in the store there was a sign that said "Theres more milk at the checkout", and I took out the sharpie that I carry in my purse and added the missing apostrophe.

The Gaffer · 08-09-2004, 09:16 AM

Good for you. I've wished for a marker pen many times in such situations.

It's amazing that this book has been a bestseller. I suppose it's gratifying that there are so many people out there who share my anal retentiveness about apostrophes.

***Rían*** · 08-09-2004, 08:22 PM

We should also carry white-out, because it seems like the typical mistake is an apostrophe where it shouldn't be. But I'm glad you corrected it - go you!

katya · 08-09-2004, 09:50 PM

Yeah, I know! I saw one the other day at the bank! *And* I have a Wolf's Rain poster that says "From the Creator's of Cowboy Bebop". It drives me crazy.

***Khamûl*** · 08-10-2004, 02:24 AM

There is no way that could be in my room. I'd have to fix it.

By the way, how does everyone feel about the Oxford comma? I personally use it, because that's the way I was taught. I always add that comma before 'and' when listing three or more things. For example: I like apples, oranges, and bananas.

The Gaffer · 08-10-2004, 04:58 AM

I was taught not to use a comma where there's an "and". However, it doesn't bother me like rogue apostrophes.

sun-star · 08-10-2004, 06:55 AM

I think that's a matter of style rather than grammar. I love commas, so if there's the slightest justification for using one I will, (see?) but I don't put them before an 'and' unless I really want a pause there.

katya · 08-10-2004, 02:47 PM

I like apples, oranges, and bananas. Yep, I use the comma, though I was taught not to. Commas still aren't as bad as apostrophes though. In a lot of ways, some commas seem optional. More so than apostrophes, anyway.

As for my poster, the writing is very small, so I don't see it unless I look. Otherwise, yeah, I would definately have to fix it.

The Gaffer · 08-11-2004, 03:55 PM

By the way, it's apostrophes; there's no "i".

sun-star · 08-11-2004, 04:46 PM

Unless you want to apostrophise, of course.

I saw a flyer yesterday which said "Dont throw this away". Guess what? I threw it away.

The Gaffer · 08-11-2004, 06:11 PM

katya · 08-11-2004, 11:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Gaffer

By the way, it's apostrophes; there's no "i".

Well, I'm quite sure I don't know what you're talking about.

...

But thank you for your input.^^

***Khamûl*** · 08-12-2004, 01:20 AM

Someone on another message board referred to how much he hated the New York "Yankee's". Not their uniforms or manager or anything like that, mind you, just the "Yankee's" in general. If only I were a mod there...

07-28-2004, 03:19 AM	#2
sun-star Lady of Letters Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Either Oxford or Kent, England Posts: 2,476	It's a great book! I second that recommendation for all grammar Nazis __________________ And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool.

07-28-2004, 04:23 PM	#3
Mercutio Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Narnia Posts: 1,656	My mom (a copy-editor) just got this book from a friend. It's really funny. However, Oxford English grammar is different from American grammar, so it doesn't help us Americans too much gramamatically (rather just humorous). I'll dig up the article. rats I have to subscribe to get the online version. It was in the Financial Times. Wait...here it is in The New Yorker. I think it is the same article. Book Reveiw from the New Yorker __________________ Mike nodded. A sombre nod. The nod Napoleon might have given if somebody had met him in 1812 and said, "So, you're back from Moscow, eh?". Interested in C.S. Lewis? Visit the forum dedicated to one of Tolkien's greatest contemporaries. Last edited by Mercutio : 07-28-2004 at 04:27 PM. Reason: Found it!

07-29-2004, 12:48 AM	#4
*Khamûl* Slacker Warrior Admin Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,759	I finished this book today and I loved it. I don't think I've ever really considered the importance of the placement of commas. What really made me think was the example of the profound doctrinal difference of the thief on the cross. Great book. Sticklers unite! __________________ "If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you." Gandalf to Pippin Psalm 107:31

07-29-2004, 04:43 PM	#5
Elfmaster XK Possessive Villain Fancier Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: On my ship, riding the waves YARR! Posts: 2,008	I've read this! It's brilliant, and at points made me laugh loudly in the middle of silent rooms with some of the errors people make. My friend found particular amusement about the in-tray belonging to a person named Dick. And really...it's and its aren't that difficult to grasp. __________________ My soul is painted like the wings of butterflies, Fairytales of yesterday will grow but never die, I can fly - my friends. XK

07-30-2004, 12:51 AM	#6
*Khamûl* Slacker Warrior Admin Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,759	Hahaha "Dicks in tray". That bit was brilliant. You really need that dash. __________________ "If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you." Gandalf to Pippin Psalm 107:31

08-02-2004, 06:04 PM	#7
*Rían* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	I've heard about this book - it sounds really funny! (and yes, book's used as a plural makes me cringe!!) __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva!

08-04-2004, 01:39 AM	#8
katya Elven Maiden Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,309	One time in the store there was a sign that said "Theres more milk at the checkout", and I took out the sharpie that I carry in my purse and added the missing apostrophe. Last edited by katya : 08-11-2004 at 11:06 PM. Reason: well, it definately wasn't a spelling error.

08-09-2004, 09:16 AM	#9
The Gaffer Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In me taters Posts: 3,288	Good for you. I've wished for a marker pen many times in such situations. It's amazing that this book has been a bestseller. I suppose it's gratifying that there are so many people out there who share my anal retentiveness about apostrophes.

08-09-2004, 08:22 PM	#10
*Rían* Half-Elven Princess of Rabbit Trails and Harp-Wielding Administrator (beware the Rubber Chicken of Doom!) Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Not where I want to be ... Posts: 15,254	We should also carry white-out, because it seems like the typical mistake is an apostrophe where it shouldn't be. But I'm glad you corrected it - go you! __________________ . I should be doing the laundry, but this is MUCH more fun! Ñá ë?* óú éä ïöü Öñ É Þ ð ß ® ç å ™ æ ♪ ?* "How lovely are Thy dwelling places, O Lord of hosts! ... For a day in Thy courts is better than a thousand outside." (from Psalm 84) * * * God rocks! Entmoot : Veni, vidi, velcro - I came, I saw, I got hooked! Ego numquam pronunciare mendacium, sed ego sum homo indomitus! Run the earth and watch the sky ... Auta i lómë! Aurë entuluva!

08-09-2004, 09:50 PM	#11
katya Elven Maiden Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,309	Yeah, I know! I saw one the other day at the bank! And I have a Wolf's Rain poster that says "From the Creator's of Cowboy Bebop". It drives me crazy.

08-10-2004, 02:24 AM	#12
*Khamûl* Slacker Warrior Admin Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,759	There is no way that could be in my room. I'd have to fix it. By the way, how does everyone feel about the Oxford comma? I personally use it, because that's the way I was taught. I always add that comma before 'and' when listing three or more things. For example: I like apples, oranges, and bananas. __________________ "If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you." Gandalf to Pippin Psalm 107:31

08-10-2004, 04:58 AM	#13
The Gaffer Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In me taters Posts: 3,288	I was taught not to use a comma where there's an "and". However, it doesn't bother me like rogue apostrophes.

08-10-2004, 06:55 AM	#14
sun-star Lady of Letters Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Either Oxford or Kent, England Posts: 2,476	I think that's a matter of style rather than grammar. I love commas, so if there's the slightest justification for using one I will, (see?) but I don't put them before an 'and' unless I really want a pause there. __________________ And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool.

08-10-2004, 02:47 PM	#15
katya Elven Maiden Join Date: Aug 2002 Posts: 3,309	I like apples, oranges, and bananas. Yep, I use the comma, though I was taught not to. Commas still aren't as bad as apostrophes though. In a lot of ways, some commas seem optional. More so than apostrophes, anyway. As for my poster, the writing is very small, so I don't see it unless I look. Otherwise, yeah, I would definately have to fix it. Last edited by katya : 08-11-2004 at 11:07 PM. Reason: um, no reason. No reason at all!

08-11-2004, 03:55 PM	#16
The Gaffer Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In me taters Posts: 3,288	By the way, it's apostrophes; there's no "i".

08-11-2004, 04:46 PM	#17
sun-star Lady of Letters Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Either Oxford or Kent, England Posts: 2,476	Unless you want to apostrophise, of course. I saw a flyer yesterday which said "Dont throw this away". Guess what? I threw it away. __________________ And all the time the waves, the waves, the waves Chase, intersect and flatten on the sand As they have done for centuries, as they will For centuries to come, when not a soul Is left to picnic on the blazing rocks, When England is not England, when mankind Has blown himself to pieces. Still the sea, Consolingly disastrous, will return While the strange starfish, hugely magnified, Waits in the jewelled basin of a pool.

08-11-2004, 06:11 PM	#18
The Gaffer Elf Lord Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: In me taters Posts: 3,288	Lol!

08-12-2004, 01:20 AM	#20
*Khamûl* Slacker Warrior Admin Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Alabama Posts: 2,759	Someone on another message board referred to how much he hated the New York "Yankee's". Not their uniforms or manager or anything like that, mind you, just the "Yankee's" in general. If only I were a mod there... __________________ "If the giving of information is to be the cure of your inquisitiveness, I shall spend all the rest of my days in answering you." Gandalf to Pippin Psalm 107:31

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