The practice has fallen out of fashion, obviously, but Mia's quotation marks are traditional. During much of the 20th century, it was considered grammatically incorrect not to place quotation marks around human-style names of pets and other non-human animals.
What Lawrence David said. The quotes around "exploring" are probably a similarly misguided attempt at avoiding anthropomorphism, the rational being that only humans ever really "explore."
There's a whole book on this weirdness: Animal Equality: Language and Liberation by Joan Dunayer. Highly recommended if you have any interest in animal welfare.
"Mia" is experimenting with catnip, cat mint, and other controlled kitty substances, and doesn't want his people to find out, hence the assumed name.
ReplyDelete"Mia" - The cat isn't actually missing in action? Just "exploring", whatever that be.
ReplyDelete"Mia" - is this some kind of pre-op transsexual cat? It is referred to as a "he"...but has a female's name?
ReplyDeleteUmmm... maybe a blur over the phone number would have been in order?
ReplyDeleteHey, that's where I live! I'll keep an eye out for "Mia," if that is his real name!
ReplyDeleteThe practice has fallen out of fashion, obviously, but Mia's quotation marks are traditional. During much of the 20th century, it was considered grammatically incorrect not to place quotation marks around human-style names of pets and other non-human animals.
ReplyDeleteWhat I find the most disturbing is the fact that this cat named Mia is MALE.
ReplyDelete"Mia" is his drag name. Maybe the full name is "Mia Culpa" or "Mia Lyka DaMousa"
ReplyDeleteOkay, we'll just come right out and admit it. "Mia" is working deep undercover for the CIA. That's all we can say at this time.
ReplyDeleteWhy would you post that person's phone number on the internet?
ReplyDeleteYes people are that stupid. Have you read some of the reviews for the VMA's? Case closed. :)
ReplyDeleteI love your site; just was taken aback by that.
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ReplyDeleteWhat Lawrence David said. The quotes around "exploring" are probably a similarly misguided attempt at avoiding anthropomorphism, the rational being that only humans ever really "explore."
ReplyDeleteThere's a whole book on this weirdness: Animal Equality: Language and Liberation by Joan Dunayer. Highly recommended if you have any interest in animal welfare.
I'm less offended by the quotation marks than I am by the fact that the period belongs inside the quotation marks, not outside.
ReplyDeletepip: that's actually a stylistic choice. See my FAQ.
ReplyDelete