Spelling Errors: Stupid? Lazy? Or A-OK? - Page 11

CoasterMatt · 08-22-2008, 07:16 PM

This thread came to mind when I saw this news article today.

Quote:

PHOENIX, Arizona (AP) -- When it comes to marking up historic signs, good grammar is a bad defense.

Two self-styled vigilantes against typos who defaced a more than 60-year-old, hand-painted sign at Grand Canyon National Park were sentenced to probation and banned from national parks for a year.

Jeff Deck and Benjamin Herson pleaded guilty August 11 for the damage done March 28 at the park's Desert View Watchtower. The sign was made by Mary Elizabeth Jane Colter, the architect who designed the rustic 1930s watchtower and other Grand Canyon-area landmarks.

Deck and Herson, both 28, toured the United States this spring, wiping out errors on government and private signs. They were interviewed by NPR and the Chicago Tribune, which called them "a pair of Kerouacs armed with Sharpies and erasers and righteous indignation."

Gn2Dlnd · 08-23-2008, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CoasterMatt

This thread came to mind when I saw this news article today.

I saw this today, copied the link to post in this thread, and CM beat me to it! The sign was made in the 1940's, still, shouldn't go around marking up things that aren't yours. Made me think of Eddie Izzard talking about historical features in America, "It's over FIFTY years old!"

Chernabog · 08-23-2008, 03:28 PM

Ugh yeah I wasn't sure of the answer and the internet lied to me.

Betty · 12-09-2008, 11:00 AM

So I'm going through a drive through yesterday for lunch and their sign in the window read:

We will close early on December 24th at 6pm.
We will be close on December 25th.
We will also be close early on December 31st.
We will be open at 7am on January 1st.

I asked them how close they would be on the 25th and got a blank stare. I pointed out their sign said they would be close - or was that a typo?

The girl said "what's a typo?".

I sighed and replied nevermind.

I know there's not a very high caliber of intelligence required to work at a fast food place but come on now. I guess they were, at least, consistant.

alphabassettgrrl · 12-09-2008, 11:43 AM

I see those kinds of errors a *lot*. One near my house says "we have move to" and it gives the address. Or the shop window that meant to say "floor stripper" machines but instead says "floor striper".

Makes me sad.

Not Afraid · 12-09-2008, 11:47 AM

Steam Rice.

Prudence · 12-09-2008, 11:57 AM

One of my official AF readings I cranked through yesterday said that the dye had been cast.

Sigh.

Ghoulish Delight · 12-09-2008, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Prudence

One of my official AF readings I cranked through yesterday said that the dye had been cast.

I'm conflicted on that one. At least they didn't use "dice" as a singular noun.

Alex · 12-09-2008, 12:06 PM

When in doubt about whether the dye or die had been cast, always switch to the Rubicon has been crost.

Same scene, same approximate meaning, and most rubes will be confused by Rubicon and fail to notice crost.

JWBear · 12-09-2008, 12:16 PM

These errors are common among those for whom English is not the first language. I see things like this all the time where I work.

08-23-2008, 03:28 PM	#3
Chernabog Biophage Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Moon Posts: 2,679	Ugh yeah I wasn't sure of the answer and the internet lied to me. __________________ And they say back then our universe Was a coal black egg Until the god inside Burst out and from its shattered shell He made what became the world we know ~ Bjork (Cosmogony)
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12-09-2008, 11:00 AM	#4
Betty Kicking up my heels! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: The Silver State Posts: 3,783	So I'm going through a drive through yesterday for lunch and their sign in the window read: We will close early on December 24th at 6pm. We will be close on December 25th. We will also be close early on December 31st. We will be open at 7am on January 1st. I asked them how close they would be on the 25th and got a blank stare. I pointed out their sign said they would be close - or was that a typo? The girl said "what's a typo?". I sighed and replied nevermind. I know there's not a very high caliber of intelligence required to work at a fast food place but come on now. I guess they were, at least, consistant. __________________ Nee Stell Thue
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12-09-2008, 11:43 AM	#5
alphabassettgrrl Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 4,978	I see those kinds of errors a lot. One near my house says "we have move to" and it gives the address. Or the shop window that meant to say "floor stripper" machines but instead says "floor striper". Makes me sad. __________________ Why cycling? Anything [sport] that had to do with a ball, I wasn't very good at. -Lance Armstrong
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12-09-2008, 11:47 AM	#6
Not Afraid HI! Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 17,108	Steam Rice.
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12-09-2008, 11:57 AM	#7
Prudence Beelzeboobs, Esq. Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Gavel - I haz it Posts: 6,287	One of my official AF readings I cranked through yesterday said that the dye had been cast. Sigh. __________________ traguna macoities tracorum satis de
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12-09-2008, 12:06 PM	#9
Alex . Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 13,354	When in doubt about whether the dye or die had been cast, always switch to the Rubicon has been crost. Same scene, same approximate meaning, and most rubes will be confused by Rubicon and fail to notice crost.
	Submit to Quotes

12-09-2008, 12:16 PM	#10
JWBear Worn Romantic Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Long Beach California Posts: 8,435	These errors are common among those for whom English is not the first language. I see things like this all the time where I work. __________________ Unrestrained frivolity will lead to the downfall of modern society.
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