Author Topic: Encouraging Signs (Read 4291 times)

Tante Shvester · « **on:** March 18, 2010, 01:43:47 PM »

I was at at the grocery store this morning, and saw that they installed new signs at the check-out aisles. Now, instead of the sign reading "Express -- 12 Items or Less" the signs say "Express -- 12 Items or Fewer".

Jonathon · « **Reply #1 on:** March 18, 2010, 01:48:38 PM »

Personally, I find that more discouraging. It's the triumph of pedantry over reason.

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #2 on:** March 18, 2010, 01:58:45 PM »

But you can't argue that it's not some kind of sign, right?

Jonathon · « **Reply #3 on:** March 18, 2010, 02:26:41 PM »

Right. It's a sign of the triumph of pedantry over reason.

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #4 on:** March 18, 2010, 02:59:31 PM »

Well, there you have it.

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #5 on:** March 18, 2010, 03:39:56 PM »

I like pedantry.

Annie Subjunctive · « **Reply #6 on:** March 18, 2010, 05:15:47 PM »

In fact, I saw an encouraging sign the other day:

rivka · « **Reply #7 on:** March 18, 2010, 05:21:39 PM »

Quote

I like pedantry.

Me too.

The Genuine · « **Reply #8 on:** March 18, 2010, 06:20:42 PM »

Slippery slope, JB. What rule would you haves us given up next?

Jonathon · « **Reply #9 on:** March 18, 2010, 06:48:35 PM »

It isn't a slippery slope at all. The less/fewer rule as most people understand it comes from the opinion of one Robert Baker in 1770, who said he thought it sounded better to use fewer with count nouns. His opinion has been codified into a rule that contradicts both historical and present-day usage.

And to what end? Is anything gained by insisting that it should be "10 items or fewer" rather than "10 items or less"? It doesn't actually make a difference grammatically or semantically. It's entirely a social issue: if you break the "rule", certain people will make negative judgements about you. My thinking that this is stupid and somewhat depressing has nothing to do with abandoning grammar rules as you're implying.

[size=8]Also, I know I've said this before, but I really don't like being called JB, especially since Jon Boy isn't even my username anymore.[/size]

The Genuine · « **Reply #10 on:** March 18, 2010, 07:15:04 PM »

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[size=8]Also, I know I've said this before, but I really don't like being called JB, especially since Jon Boy isn't even my username anymore.[/size]

You probably have, but I didn't retain it. Truly sorry, and for what little it's worth I'll try not to do that again. (It feels weird to me too, and I paused before writing it, as I strongly associate "JB" with the Godfather of Soul. I mightn't forget now.)

The Genuine · « **Reply #11 on:** March 18, 2010, 07:15:41 PM »

BTW, I use the JB shorthand because your name is spelled wrong.

rivka · « **Reply #12 on:** March 18, 2010, 07:16:29 PM »

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BTW, I use the JB shorthand because your name is spelled wrong.

Yeah, THAT'll show him you're really sorry.

Sheesh.

Jonathon · « **Reply #13 on:** March 18, 2010, 07:45:53 PM »

You don't need to be sorry about calling me JB, Jesse. When I said that I really don't like it, I meant that it kind of bugs me. But saying that I spell my name wrong REALLY bugs me.

And if you do want something short to call me, Jon is fine.

The Genuine · « **Reply #14 on:** March 18, 2010, 07:50:41 PM »

Hmm. It was so obvious to me that my last post was a joke. An elbow.

Jonathon · « **Reply #15 on:** March 18, 2010, 07:54:23 PM »

Yes, it was obviously a joke, but it's one that I got sick of over twenty years ago.

The Genuine · « **Reply #16 on:** March 18, 2010, 08:07:39 PM »

You're lucky not to have known me so long.

rivka · « **Reply #17 on:** March 18, 2010, 08:16:56 PM »

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Hmm. It was so obvious to me that my last post was a joke. An elbow.

Why do you think that helps in any way?

The Genuine · « **Reply #18 on:** March 18, 2010, 08:25:33 PM »

Guys just do that sort of thing.

rivka · « **Reply #19 on:** March 18, 2010, 09:05:09 PM »

No, Jesse. YOU do this sort of thing, even though you have been told repeatedly that it bothers people.

Knock it off.

Jonathon · « **Reply #20 on:** March 18, 2010, 09:39:55 PM »

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Guys just do that sort of thing.

Good guy friends can rib each other quite a lot. But you have to have a pretty solid friendship first, and even then there are always areas that are off limits.

sweet clementine · « **Reply #21 on:** March 19, 2010, 12:06:58 AM »

But you can call me JB if you want...I don't care at all

The Genuine · « **Reply #22 on:** March 19, 2010, 10:00:26 AM »

Is my name spelled wrong because it doesn't say

on the birth certificate?

rivka · « **Reply #23 on:** March 19, 2010, 10:16:28 AM »

Huh?

Tante Shvester · « **Reply #24 on:** March 19, 2010, 11:25:52 AM »

Yes, Jesse, as a matter of fact, it is. However we've all been too polite to mention it. Since you brought it up, though . . .