Believe it or not, one of the very first ever "blog" posts mentioned this sign (well, this one is in Crescent City CA, but a similar one). Now, thanks to Syd, we have visual evidence. Rock on.
Click on the interview here: http://jackpendarvis.blogspot.com/2007/03/elements-of-style.html - It's quotation mark heaven! And, incidentally, exclamation point heaven. I'm so happy to have found your blog.
Well, I am not really ("really"?) sure... It is not the restaurant that is non-smoking, but rather the patrons and (we hope!) the staff. Thus, it is not a non-smoking restaurant, literally. It is a no -smoking-allowed restaurant. So maybe in this case I would have to go with the quotes as identifying a phrase of art or jargon rather than a literal statement. Or is that wrong? Hmmmmm... Help me out here! "Dave"
i agree with "dave" i think the quotes were intended to identify a phrase of art or jargon. it could be that when those signs were created referring to a restaurant as non-smoking was new and unfamiliar terminology (albeit not that difficult to figure out). nevertheless, the quotes are unnecessary at this point. it's not like the layman doesn't understand what non-smoking means.
I love your "blog."
ReplyDeleteAs opposed to a restaurant which is smoldering and letting off smoke, I guess.
ReplyDeleteClick on the interview here: http://jackpendarvis.blogspot.com/2007/03/elements-of-style.html - It's quotation mark heaven! And, incidentally, exclamation point heaven. I'm so happy to have found your blog.
ReplyDeleteWell, I am not really ("really"?) sure... It is not the restaurant that is non-smoking, but rather the patrons and (we hope!) the staff. Thus, it is not a non-smoking restaurant, literally. It is a no -smoking-allowed restaurant. So maybe in this case I would have to go with the quotes as identifying a phrase of art or jargon rather than a literal statement. Or is that wrong? Hmmmmm... Help me out here! "Dave"
ReplyDeletei agree with "dave" i think the quotes were intended to identify a phrase of art or jargon. it could be that when those signs were created referring to a restaurant as non-smoking was new and unfamiliar terminology (albeit not that difficult to figure out). nevertheless, the quotes are unnecessary at this point. it's not like the layman doesn't understand what non-smoking means.
ReplyDelete