...and here we are, back in the office, back to our book projects, back to full-time grammar Nazism. A new year to look forward to. May your own work life be fruitful and eventful, and if you're a retiree, well... may your free time be interesting, healthy, and fulfilling!
One of my 2017 campaigns is to stop the phrase "grammar Nazi." That phrase makes being precise and accurate a pejorative. There's nothing wrong with wanting to be correct and expecting others to care about their communication.
ReplyDeleteSteve,
ReplyDeleteI suspect the phrase's origins come from outside the community it refers to, hence its pejorative nature. But what phrase from within the community ought to replace it? "Grammar custodian"? Seems milquetoast-y. I dunno... I'm perfectly happy to wear the "grammar Nazi" label, which I use flippantly anyway.
Meanwhile, beware the urge to ban phrases. I know you already hate "chick flick" (which I lurve). Now we've got "grammar Nazi." A sinister list of what is verboten is forming.
"Ban" is probably too strong a word, but I do frown on particular things the same way I frown on particular racial epithets.
ReplyDeleteHow about "Grammar cop"? Or perhaps we could go for something more badass, give ourselves an oath like the Night's Watch.
"Bad grammar gathers, and now my watch begins. It shall not end until my death. I shall take no split infinitives, hold no misplace metaphors, write no dangling participles. I shall make no friends and win no glory. I shall live and die at my post. I am the dictionary in the darkness. I am the grammar book in the world. I am the shield that guards the realms of correct discourse. I pledge my life and honor to the Grammar Watch, for this sentence and all the sentences to come."