File This Under "Insanity Defense"

I make no excuses for being a stickler for good and proper use of the English language.

I like to think I am pretty tolerant of strangers using words improperly or using "non-words" in what they think is an intelligent way, but hearing those close to me do the same is like driving four-inch nails into my skull.

Yesterday, someone close to me said, "irregardless." Can I just say that that "word," more than most, irritates me to no end? It's actually defined as NONSTANDARD. That is, not a proper word.

Someday, someone will be earnestly trying to make a point and spew, "...irregardless of the fact..." and I will go on an intercontinental grammar mercy killing spree.

I groused about the "irregardless" nonsense on Facebook, and found that my friends have similar peeves:

• People mispronouncing "superfluous"
• "Supposably" instead of "supposedly"
• "Freshly squozen orange juice"
• "Fusstrated" or "flustrated" instead of "frustrated"
• "Taunt" instead of "taut"
• "Bedroom suit" instead of "suite"
• "Window seal" instead of "sill" (okay, that one is mine)
• "Valentimes" instead of "Valentine's"

What's going to drive you to copping an insanity plea, grammatically speaking?

Photo by publik15

The Dumbing Down of America

For those lucky enough to know The Gonzo Mama in real life, it comes as no surprise when she refuses to vote for a candidate whose campaign literature appears to be crafted by someone who failed to pass middle school English.

Routine, too, is the sight of her red-lining a direct mail piece and sending it back to the offensive junk mail monger with editorial notes... in his own postage-paid envelope, no less. That's right - the illiterate pile of moose droppings gets to pay for the pleasure of reading The Gonzo Mama's list of reasons why he sucks.

Call it a severe case of "grammarphilia," if you must. The fact remains that The Gonzo Mama has a very low tolerance for poorly-constructed written material and perfunctory use of the English language.

In her essay, Education Limbo: How Low Can You Go?, Mama clearly outlines why our nation's schools are to blame for this widespread and offensive epidemic.

It's the latest installment of her column over at Motherhood: From Egg to Zine (and everything in between). Check it out, and rant along!