Tag Archives: language

Signage

Posted on May 11, 2018 by JMN

Been Rode: Ain’t –> <– Done Poppy: Seed –> <– Cock For: Given –> <– Bidden Away: This –> <– That Do: Nothings –> <– Gooders (Copyright 2018 James Mansfield Nichols. All rights reserved.)

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The Carper

Posted on May 9, 2018 by JMN

“Less than one in three Americans support U.S. pullout from Iran deal” (Reuters headline). “FEWER than one in three…” would be better. “Less” qualifies something you don’t normally count: “less sewage.” “Few” qualifies something you CAN count: “fewer turds.” (Copyright … Continue reading →

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It’s Free

Posted on May 8, 2018 by JMN

[Product Description for St. Claire’s Organic Candy Licorice Pastilles on Amazon} “A folding display box containing six tins of licorice tablets. Contains no artificial coloring, flavoring, or animal by-products. It is Wheat-free, Gluten-free, Dairy-free, Casein-free, Nut-free, Soy-free, Egg-free, Fish/Shellfish-free, Corn-free. … Continue reading →

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Five Quotes About What

Posted on May 1, 2018 by JMN

Fried okra is not a vegetable. It’s cornmeal in drag. (jmn) He’s determined to shoot himself in my foot. (jmn) The student decided I wasn’t serving his needs and resolved to take it out on himself. (jmn) It’s hard not … Continue reading →

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Adventures in Toponymy

Posted on April 21, 2018 by JMN

King Mswati III of Swaziland proclaims that his country shall henceforth be called eSwatini. It means “land of the Swati” in the siSwati language that predominates in the southern African kingdom. The king has reigned for 32 years over one … Continue reading →

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Banditry Repression

Posted on April 20, 2018 by JMN

I’m happy to learn there’s an institution in France named the Banditry Repression Brigade. It handles art theft. Mentioned in an article in The Guardian by Kim Willsher, 4-4-18. (Copyright 2018 James Mansfield Nichols. All rights reserved.)

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The Carper

Posted on April 20, 2018 by JMN

“Abe has not been able to shake allegations that his government gave huge discounts in land sales to two education institutions linked to associates *of he* and his wife, *and then* tried to cover up the links.” (Washington Post, 4-16-18) … Continue reading →

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“Whoosh… Boom”

Posted on April 18, 2018 by JMN

“We went and executed that against real targets with real missiles, and quite simply, we won. So from a practice standpoint, they saw it. So there’s a level of, in their hearts, it’s no longer, hey, trust us, this will … Continue reading →

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The Carper

Posted on April 17, 2018 by JMN

“Eldest Trump sons jet to Dubai for lavish wedding” (CNN, 4-13-18). The plural “sons” is off. “Eldest” is superlative — there can only be one. “Older Trump sons…” would have been better to distinguish the grown two from their half-sibling … Continue reading →

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