160 Comments
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Dolores's avatar

I’m picturing a child proudly presenting a dandelion to the teacher. And the teacher says scornfully, ‘don’t you know that’s a weed’.

Such a person misses so much.

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Susie S's avatar

Well, Dolores, your example is just plain mean, isn't it?! 🤭 That person should be reprimanded by an adult.

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Susie S's avatar

....an ACTUAL adult.

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Dina Voutour's avatar

I hope the rest of my day is as fun as reading this column.

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Pam Mcnutt's avatar

I loved this article! Back in the day, I wanted to be a writer…it was bad grammar that stopped me! The anxiety that came from every paper I wrote in college was through the roof! I guess what I'm trying to say is there are many of us out here who are grammar-challenged and blissfully read your stories, unaffected by the grammar police!

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Susie S's avatar

Totally, Pam.

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C.J. Heck's avatar

I hope you do a lot more like this! What a hoot, Sean! Your sense of humor is wonderful.

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Paul Click's avatar

“A merry heart doeth good, like a medicine”!

Proverbs 17:22 kjv

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Toni in Texas's avatar

Please don’t illustrate a dangling participle!😂😂😂

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Susie S's avatar

Yes, I agree, Toni, please don't, Sean! That was a good one, Toni!! 🤣

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Mar 7
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Te Burt's avatar

You were paying attention! LOL

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Susie S's avatar

Ed pays attention, Te! 😉

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Susiebelle's avatar

There are two kinds of grammarians. First, there are those like yourself who use grammar for effect. These people are usually artists who know the rules but use those same rules to entertain us. Second, there are the over-educated stuffed shirts (usually hosting the evening news) who still can’t understand the use of subjective pronouns or that prepositions have objects.

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Susiebelle's avatar

I should also add:

Obviously, irregardless, the first type of grammarian has a much more intimate knowledge of the rules and a finely developed sense of humor; ie, he doesn’t take himself too seriously.

Right? I thought so.

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Phillip H Saunders's avatar

Right on, Susiebelle. I'm a recovering grammarian, far too picky. Are there meetings I could go to? Did you use irregardless to test us? An old sportscaster friend of mine would sometimes say on his radio show, "Irregardles, which is not a preferred word..."

Maybe not preferred, but still an acceptable word. If I spent as much time composing my work as I do chekkin my gramor I'd git a lot more dun.

P.S. Gotta love the way Sean has fun with his critics.

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Phillip H Saunders's avatar

Note to self: You misspelled irregardless, you big dummy! Interesting that every time I write that word, Spellcheck wants to change it to regardless.

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MAM's avatar

Spellcheck is the worst invention ever. It has almost gotten me in trouble several times. It's a good thing I usually at least glance over things.

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Phillip H Saunders's avatar

Yeah, it's not all it's crakt up ta be. I do my own spelchekkin.

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Susie S's avatar

😜

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MAM's avatar

What i hate is when it turns what I typed into a real word that is NOT the same or even similar to what I typed!

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Susie S's avatar

Question is irregardless really in the dictionary? I should Google

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Susie S's avatar

Indeed.

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Susie S's avatar

If I ever am wrong in correcting anyone, pls let me know. I happen to think "mostly" correct matters. I can also learn, too. Just like the rest of us. But I can, at least admit it, unlike some others who like to make fun of people who know more than they do. I see it happening all the time. People making fun of people who are "edumacated". It's funny and sad at the same time because I know why they do it.

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Susiebelle's avatar

Ok. This may be lengthy. Several of us were commenting on Sean Dietrich’s post and somehow that thread was high jacked. We enjoyed his post; it was humorous, as many of his posts are.

I apologize if no one realized that I, like Sean, was joking with our use of the word irregardless. I checked to be sure. It does appear in Merriam-Webster and in the Oxford dictionary. It is nonstandard English but is considered a word. I personally do not like the word and do not use it.

Now to my second point. I feel that I have been misjudged. I am very well educated, but I do not flaunt it nor do I make fun of people less educated. I have no tolerance for those in academic circles who “look down on” folks they think are ignorant. I have moved in those circles and feel I can hold my own with them. I feel I have paid my dues and can criticize “stuffed shirts” who have no sense of humor and would never speak in a self deprecating manner.

I stand corrected.

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Janet Gray's avatar

I am a retired teacher and wouldn't change a thang about you. Love my West Virginia upbranging country accent and all!!! PS I was a National Keynote speaker for many years and they loved it!!!!! Stay just the way you are. You are my brother from another Mother!!! Our lives Parallel each other. Next time you come to Putnam County Florida, I am definitely comingbto see you!!!

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Melody Wright's avatar

Me too Janet. I also live in Putnam County, FL. I saw Sean once down here and got a picture of me getting a hug from him. I love that man.

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Donna Buchanan's avatar

I love hugs!

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Janet Gray's avatar

I would love to me you sometime. I am in Hollister!!!

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Melody Wright's avatar

Palatka, by the Ravine Gardens

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Te Burt's avatar

See reply to Janet Gray! Wow! What did I just say? What is it with Palatka?

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Te Burt's avatar

Putnam County! You live in Palatka! (Or one of several other little communities.) I lived in Welaka for 6 years when it had the WORST mayor (hope you aren't related) and again in San Mateo in the cutest little house across from the convenience store. It's totally uncanny how many people I have met who know about, have lived in, or are related to people in Palatka!

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Melody Wright's avatar

I retired here to Palatka in 2016 to be close to St. Augustine without the taxes and traffic. No relatives here, except for my dogs. LOL.

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Patricia Hunnicutt's avatar

The dogs are the important relatives❤️🐾

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Susie S's avatar

That CAN be a good thing, Mel n

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Meemanator's avatar

I vehemantly object to nitpickers who can't see the forest for the trees.

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Maja's avatar

This was hilarious! I always enjoy your writing.

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Kathy's avatar

Sad that there are so many folks who live to criticize no matter what!! I, for one, love to read your writings, especially the irony you interject and many never git 🤪

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Philip Jennings's avatar

I appreciate your humorous and the creative ways you entertain and inform us. Your days of serious subjects, you always set the tone and deliver your message well. Your true followers will always be here enjoying your talent.

It may be the uncomfortable “stick” some of these critics sit upon that makes them so irrationally critical. They really should remove it and enjoy your writing for what it is: wonderful.

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Phillip H Saunders's avatar

Well said, Philip. I like your use of "stick' in your message. I bet that was an underlying suggestion to remind us of what a famous theologian said many years ago - something about getting the stick out of one's own eye before trying to remove the splinter in someone else's. What was that feller's name? Hmmm...

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Susie S's avatar

Actually Phillip S, I think the Philip J actually meant for critics to remove it from where it was stuck. Haha.... And I don't think they mean the eye 😉. After all, we don't sit on our eye.

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Philip Jennings's avatar

Oh, just referencing an old adage about superiority. That stick could be anywhere causing discomfort. Tried not to be too crass. I so appreciate Sean’s place in life. Looking forward what tomorrow holds. I anticipate a wonderful read.

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Susie S's avatar

That is a great adage!!

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Lori C.'s avatar

I am certainly someone who could get their own "gramer" rightfully ripped apart, so I will usually stay tight lipped on the subject. That being said, there is one instance that is like finger nails on a chalkboard to me, and that is when people add an s to grocery stores. "I'm going to Walmarts" or "I went to Krogers the other day", or "did you notice that Aldis is having a big sale?" NO!! 😫 I'm going to Walmart. I went to Kroger. Did you notice that Aldi is having a big sale? That's it. My rant is over. 🙃

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Te Burt's avatar

I can sympathize! Mine is punctuation. Get it wrong and stuff reads like gibberish!

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Deborah M Haddock's avatar

“Let’s eat Grandma.”

“Let’s eat, Grandma.”

Yes, punctuation matters!

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Susie S's avatar

It definitely matters. Lol

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Lori C.'s avatar

True!

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Susie S's avatar

Ok

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Josie's avatar

My dear friend I love when you share stories like this 🤣😂🤭🤭🤭

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Linda Hubbard's avatar

❤️💕😂😂😂

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Garet V Aldridge's avatar

Grammar Police: The last refuge of Karens with laryngitis.

Ignore them except for Mockage.

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