unintentional social commentary?

reader Megan submitted this fantastic billboard from rural NC.



Maybe we should always put quotes around freedom. Like the president. "they hate our 'freedom'"...

ice age

thanks to my friend Jon for this photo of a mudblaster manny from ice age two:

I think the quotation marks are actually appropriate here, but it's still funny. I mean, what are those balls REALLY made out of??? (yeah, yeah, plastic. but come on...)

Apostrophe call answered

Because he finds it so amusing to notice every spelling or grammatical error I make in casual IM conversation, Jim has taken up the call to create a blog of badly-placed apostrophe's. Because, as we know, people don't know what to do with their punctuation. Alas, poor apostrophes don't lead us to existential questions like "are we allowed to park here or not?" but please check it out, and submit your finds, as you wander the lands of unfortunate grammar.

monkey talk

From the National Geographic:

Monkeys Use "Sentences", Study Suggests. [link]

It turns out, they actually "don't"...

"Movers Who Care"

I got behind a truck on the drive in this morning. This logo was proudly diplayed on the back. It could be worse - it could say ... Movers who "care."

challenged

Madison Guy has issued a challenge to the quotation mark brigade to expand our view to incorrect apostrophes. I do not claim to weild Lynn Truss-like influence over united punctuation sticklers, perhaps some readers would be interested in heeding his call.

I "won't" drive there

from reader Marc:

Yesterday I was at a Cubs game (they lost), and noticed at the Taco Bell on the way out that the drive thru (yes they had one) was closed, complete with signage blocking the drive:

"No"
Drive Thru

Does this mean that if I disobeyed the sign that they would have "no" tacos?

Peculiar People

Here's one all the way from Africa, taken from a co-worker of mine who's over there right now.

Everybody is Somebody

I guess by "for all nations" they mean just people in Ghana? Maybe just in Africa? Or maybe just a select list of nations. I think we can let them get away with the unnecessary quotation marks, though, since they are a church for peculiar peoples. I would so go to that church.

I am also really looking forward to the Wednesday night Word Feast.

let's "go"!

this example, submitted by vigilant reader vikkitikkitavi, is priceless. I really have nothing to add to the commentary by the blogger who initially posted it.

"don't" drink and drive

spotted on the highway in Georgia, a sign that reads:

it kills
DUI (this was circled and crossed out)
"don't do it"

If that's not a wink...

I'll "pay" that right away

thanks to reader Hailey Squeek for this submission:

I found some unnecessary quotation marks online on a restaurant's website.

NEW!! Valet parking available 7 days a week. Across the street there is a
"paid parking" lot. There is also a city parking lot located behind the LYON
MOVING COMPANY building where parking is free in the evenings, after 4:30
p.m.

found at Palace Grill website (click FAQ)

If you want to sing the National Anthem

For you aspiring Wrigley Field National Anthem singers, please follow the following procedure, found on the Cubs website:

National Anthem: Any person(s) wanting to perform the National Anthem prior to a Cubs game must submit a video tape of the singer(s) performing an "a cappella" version of the National Anthem. Mail tapes to: National Anthem, Chicago Cubs, Wrigley Field, 1060 West Addison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60613. For more information, call (773) 404-CUBS. Please be aware that tapes will not be returned.

Apparently the Cubs are not concerned about if the anthem is "accompanied" or not.

sorry about your "car"

submission from reader vikkitikkitavi:

Sign in a friend's apartment building garage:

Parking for Residents Only
Unauthorized Vehicles will be
"Towed Away"


How bad could it be, to be only figuratively towed away?
Sorry no pic, didn't have a camera with me.