Grammar Usage, Part Deux

[ClairefromClare]

Claire, I had to re-read your post a couple times to truly embrace the greatness of it. In other not very eloquent terms: "sh*t girl, I'm gonna have to watch myself!"

You're funny, Julie!

I may be on a roll here. Spent the morning mired in legalese. This is an old rule, but people need to be reminded (lawyers particularly). "Shall" is the first person version of "will." I shall, we shall ("We shall Overcome"), but you will, he will, she will, they will. To reverse it: I will, or she shall, is essentially to be insisting and banging your fist on the table about it. It's like barking out an order. So it drives me nuts that all this legal gobbledygook is all third person shall. Among other things. And then there's decimate. Deci, as in decimal, as in one tenth. Here's the etymology. A couple thousand years ago, when Rome ruled the western world, its army attacked in a formation ten deep and however many wide. Imagine those soldiers running up and over the hill towards the enemy--anyone on the front line was pretty much doomed. Hence, the army was decimated. It doesn't mean to be wiped out totally. Okay, back to financial doom and gloom. This is way more fun.

[julie_m]

I may be on a roll here. Spent the morning mired in legalese. This is an old rule, but people need to be reminded (lawyers particularly). "Shall" is the first person version of "will." I shall, we shall ("We shall Overcome"), but you will, he will, she will, they will. To reverse it: I will, or she shall, is essentially to be insisting and banging your fist on the table about it. It's like barking out an order. So it drives me nuts that all this legal gobbledygook is all third person shall. Among other things.

Wow...decimate...that really makes sense! I've never met anyone who digs etymology as much as I do.

I'll pass along the shall tidbit...the BF is a lawyer, and naturally, fluent in legalese. You'd like Scalia's new book, in that vein. You deal with them a lot, hm? What is it you do? (Just curious, you don't have to post if you don't want to.)

[ClairefromClare]

This has got to be a couple of decades old, and I hope it never goes online, but I recall the worst-written piece of legalese I've ever read. Couldn't quite bring myself to memorize it, but it started off as follows:

It is our recommendation that you give consideration to the formulation of a publication...

It takes serious talent to write like that. I simply can't do it.

[Lefty731PM]

"It is our recommendation that you give consideration to the formulation of a publication... "

This reads like a line from Gilbert & Sullivan!

You would enjoy a book by an Australian historian called Death Sentence, the Decay of Public Language

He rails against this sort of nonsense:

"To provide outcome-related research and consultancy services that address real-world issues"

"The university's approach to quality management is underpinned by a strong commitment to continuous improvement and a whole-of-organisation framework"

(From a University mission statement and website)

[rgoudy1975]

I've never met anyone who digs etymology as much as I do.

I love etymology, too. It's fascinating to discover the origins of words and phrases that we so casually use, isn't it?

[TheWarHound]

My little sister is an English teacher at the same High School I teach Chemistry. She is always correcting everyone's English . . . mine, our parents, etc.

I coach the students to approach her and say, "I ain't never been no good at English."

Ever seen an English teacher turn pale and quiver with rage? Priceless . . .

[Dent]

My little sister is an English teacher at the same High School I teach Chemistry. She is always correcting everyone's English . . . mine, our parents, etc.

Actually, I have, it's really quite funny. My old english teacher had this thing where she went crazy if we spelled the a lot : ALOT with no space.

whenever she read aloud, and said the word alot she would say "A SPACE LOT"

[ClairefromClare]

"It is our recommendation that you give consideration to the formulation of a publication... "

I grew up on G&S.; Absolutely love the stuff. But there's no way you could sing that blither I quoted. Or that you quoted, for that matter.

(Say--want to hear me rant about that vs. which? Since vs. because? While vs. although?) And then there's http://www.bulwer-lytton.com/ . A tad off topic, but great fun.

[julie_m]

This has got to be a couple of decades old, and I hope it never goes online, but I recall the worst-written piece of legalese I've ever read. Couldn't quite bring myself to memorize it, but it started off as follows:

I guess lawyers, once upon a time, were paid by the word?

Josh says he once saw, in a will: "I devise, bequest, and leave all of my possessions to..." I too could educate myself so as to learn to write in superfluous excess, should my compensation, payment, and monetary quality of life depend solely on my talent and ability to script and employ my written answers and replies in this methodical format.

[Harold]

In earlier ancient Roman history the term 'decimation' was actually a brutal form of military punishment. It was rarely used but usually deemed necessary for either poor performance or to reinforce or bring back discipline within the Legions. Every tenth man would be singled out and the other nine would be required to beat him to death. Considering that a full strength Legion would consist of approximately 4800 men it was a punishment that was employed only in rare circumstances.

[Harry Longshanks]

I've never met anyone who digs etymology as much as I do.

Meh. Bugs are bugs. I don't think they are that interesting excpet for the sound they make when you step on them.

[Q.Q.Quillume]

I love etymology, too. It's fascinating to discover the origins of words and phrases that we so casually use, isn't it?

You bet your sweet bippy.

[julie_m]

Meh. Bugs are bugs. I don't think they are that interesting excpet for the sound they make when you step on them.

Entomology, Harry?

I love etymology, too. It's fascinating to discover the origins of words and phrases that we so casually use, isn't it?

You bet your sweet bippy.

QQ, why the slanty smilie?

[Q.Q.Quillume]

...QQ, why the slanty smilie?

The devil made me do it.

And that's the truth.

[mikelz]

You bet your sweet bippy.

With a 1967 Rowan and Martin reference, you must be as old as I am.

[ClairefromClare]

I guess lawyers, once upon a time, were paid by the word?

I love the wills written by non-lawyers who try to sound like lawyers. My favorite was the fellow who left everything he had to, "the airs of my body." Wonder how often HE showered?

With a 1967 Rowan and Martin reference, you must be as old as I am.

Very interesting.... Verrrry Interrresting!

[julie_m]

You three...I am now so lost.

[ClairefromClare]

You three...I am now so lost.

You one... you are very, very young.