From the "weird and disturbing" category comes today's "gem". At the moment if you type the following query into Google you will get some rather "interesting" results: what defines an english person And here's a screenshot of the results (click to enlarge): NB: I didn't manipulate this. Found via James … [Read more...] about Does Google Dislike The English?
english
Before You Hit Send
I send and receive a lot of email (I've mentioned this more than once in the past).In order for an email to catch my attention it needs to be engaging at some level. It doesn't need to be an artistic masterpiece, but something clear and engaging. Yet again today I got an email which was the exact opposite of this...To start with the subject line was a disaster. Starting the … [Read more...] about Before You Hit Send
Plain English Please!
In the last 24 hours I've come across at least 5 new (and redundant) bits of technospeak jargon that do nothing to improve understanding, but everything to confuse people.Why can't people standardise terminology?Why do people insist on using terms they don't fully understand and probably get semi-wrong, thus confusing their interlocutor even further? … [Read more...] about Plain English Please!
Affect vs Effect
Absolutely brilliant!Xkcd is addictive! … [Read more...] about Affect vs Effect
Why I Won’t Use Expletives
I never use expletives when I write. I can't see the point.If you can't make your idea / opinion known / clear without having to resort to the use of expletives, then I would have to question your abilities as a writer. Twenty Major's use of the expletive is interesting, as he does it in a particular manner. The first couple of times I read him I was offended on certain levels, … [Read more...] about Why I Won’t Use Expletives