Grammar Guy: A festivus airing of grammar grievances
I do my best to put a positive spin on grammar. After all, having a solid grasp of the English language can help you get ahead in life. I’ll take that truth to my grave.
However, I occasionally receive visits in the night from holiday hoodlums. In fact, just the other night, I recorded this conversation between the Grammar Grinch and Syntax Scrooge. These guys are the Statler and Waldorf of word nerdery. I recorded them airing their grammar
Grievances. Frank Costanza would be proud.
Scrooge: I can’t believe people still add apostrophes on their holiday cards. “Season’s Greetings from the Miller’s?!” The Miller’s what? The Miller’s dog? Never add an apostrophe to your last name on a holiday card!
Grinch: I know, right? Kids these days — going to heck in a holiday handbasket. Just the other day, I heard a few street youths dropping “to be” from their sentences! I heard one say, “The clothes need washed!” The next thing you know, they’ll drop Shakespeare from English lit!
Scrooge: To be, or not to be.
Grinch: Preach.
Scrooge: I like the idea of Festivus. That “Seinfeld” show had a lot going for it. Now, it’s time for the feats of strength.
Grinch: Thanks for that fruitcake, by the way. Talk about “feats of strength” — that thing is tougher than a brick. It’s not the least bit moist!
Scrooge: Ewwww… did you have to say “moist”?
Grinch: I tell it like it is.
Scrooge: How about this one — a whole ‘nother!
Grinch: Oh, brother. Scrooge: I know the Instagram hipsters are saying this. I saw a video reposted from a TikTok reposted from a VHS tape in which a crazy uncle said, “That’s not my president! He’s a whole ‘nother type of crazy!” What is the world coming to?
Grinch: Did you just end your sentence with a preposition?
Scrooge: Allow me to rephrase tat: What is the world coming to, you jerk? Grinch: Touche. Scrooge: Mr. Grinch,
I’d like to raise a glass of heavily rummed eggnog to you and all the word nerds out there. Let’s quaff heartily to taking over the world with good grammar!
Grinch: Hear, hear! You’re making my heart grow three sizes over here. Happy Festivus, old friend. A donation has been made in your name to The Human Fund.
Scrooge: Better than socks, I suppose. Happy Festivus, ol’ buddy. Watch your use of the passive voice.
Curtis Honeycutt is a syndicated humor columnist. He is the author of Good Grammar is the Life of the Party: Tips for a Wildly Successful Life. Find more at curtishoneycutt.com.