There are but a few venues in today's social circles where I can profess my lack of tolerance for people who speak and write poorly. In my defense, it's hereditary! My Dad used to give job applicants spelling tests...and not just for office positions. The grammatical apple didn't fall far from the tree. When hearing folks speaking incorrectly, I would just cringe a bit and thank my teachers, my parents and Shirley VanNest for keeping me from sounding like a moron (that's a simile by the way.) When spoken to correctly, we can just assimilate a lot of that knowledge and it becomes second nature. Then came the Internet and social media. Now I get to see, every single day, what the majority of folks never learned....in school or at home. The most trampled set of words being
your and
you're! I see it misused innumerable times a day. I only correct them with my
outside voice
inside my home. (I'm trying to retain as many friendships as I can.)
Last night I read a post from a FB friend that explained that she missed the fact that her children were grown and missed "listening to there wishes".............and wait for it........."and excrement!" Holy shit...literally! I understand spell check but excitement (which I presume she meant) is a much more prevalent word than excrement. If folks would just read what they type BEFORE they post it, I'd have much less stress in my Face Book surfing.
This morning's meltdown came with a Christmas card....and before I let loose, I love Christmas cards and every single one I receive is a joy!!! Today's lesson is apostrophes. Obviously last name pluralization wasn't a high priority in English class. It really is NOT that difficult. One gal has called it an apostrophe catastrophe! I concur!! Here's a simple guide to pluralizing your last name.
Only 6 instances plead for an -es....
ALL the rest only need an -S. If your name is Mary Wolf, please don't send your beautiful Christmas cards with the adorable kids and grands all dressed in matching jeans and sweaters signed by The Wolves!!! If your name is Sue Murphy, don't over think what you learned in 3rd grade and send your card from the Murphies! The only time you would use an apostrophe in your last name is if you sent your cards from the
Smith's New Home!
I know it's the Christmas season and I should be less judgmental rather than more... I'm working on it. I think there are 12 steps and I'm still stumbling at the bottom of the staircase. It will, once again, be my # 1 New Year's resolution..notice that resolution belongs to New Year so I've used an apostrophe.
