Comments on: ‘Punctuation hero’ branded a vandal

By: Doug Sundseth

Doug Sundseth — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 22:57:30 +0000

Since there's no actual grammatical problem with the use of "less" in that context (see, for instance, this article on Language Log), it would be awful if you were to be terribly troubled by it. And the most common style for street signs is to omit apostrophes from names in both the US and England. This is not new. (It has been the official guidance from the US Board on Geographic Names since 1890, for instance.) If it pleases you to be offended, well, everybody needs a hobby (or a hobby horse).

By: Bonnie

Bonnie — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 06:20:51 +0000

Is it awful to see “10 items or less” signs at grocery stores and not be terribly troubled by it?

By: Obi-Wandreas

Obi-Wandreas — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:52:46 +0000

You should check this out: The Blog of Unnecessary Quotes. It's just a question of being sloppy with your language because you don't care. You might as well just point at what you want and make noise.

By: BadaBing

BadaBing — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:15:48 +0000

Obsessive compulsive disorder, mayhaps?

By: Chris

Chris — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 00:13:46 +0000

Good for him.

By: Lightly Seasoned

Lightly Seasoned — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:39:38 +0000

“St” doesn’t need the period in British usage (in the same way they don’t use it for “Mr,” etc.).

My dogs are trained to lie down, but not lay down. We all need a hobby.

By: Claus

Claus — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 22:24:46 +0000

Bravo! Perhaps he could come to this country and correct the countless signs that misuse quotation marks. People seem to think a statement becomes emphatic with the addition of quotation marks.