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Saturday, May 07, 2011

Down with America?

…where competent professionals are allowed to publish on mainstream media outlets, yet not required to be able to properly use the English Language.  For example (from a FOX story today):

People tell me things they don’t tell other people. This happens in my psychiatry office, but it happens in gym locker rooms and social gatherings and business settings, too. Something about my wearing the mantel of “psychiatrist” gives people the idea that I’ll listen to most anything, without judging them, and they’re right.

Mantel?

Mantel?

MANTEL?

old hickory mantel

5 comments:

  1. so... I THINK I know what it's SUPPOSED to say... but I'm not sure enough to admit it in the face of your wrath ;). So... what do you think it should have said? :-P

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  2. Mantle. A mantle is a garment.

    A mantel is a hearth arch. :)

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  3. **WHEW!** Then I was right too, lol.

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  4. Don't make me sound like the Grammar Witch. I make mistakes all the time, as do most normal people.

    But this guy is writing for Fox News!!! Hello? Editors? Who is paying these people? There's a certain point at which misuse of the language can't be attributed to hurry or distraction or even carelessness.

    It makes the website and the "professional" who wrote the column look stupid.

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  5. Says the person who fearlessly (or carelessly?) split her infinitive. ;)

    ReplyDelete