A small tip from the Spelling Nazi

cnorman18 · Post by **cnorman18** » Fri Oct 08, 2010 1:01 am

It's just one of those small things that some people find annoying; if we're trying to express our thoughts precisely, we ought to spell the words right.

PRINCIPLE is a noun, meaning a basic truth, law, or assumption: the principles of democracy.

PRINCIPAL is an adjective, meaning most important, consequential, or influential: the principal ingredient in the recipe.

PRINCIPAL is only used as a noun when you're talking about the original amount of a debt or your teacher's boss. I find it grating when I see intelligent people who should know better talking about the "principals of Christianity." "Seize" for "cease" and "convenant" for "covenant" are grating too, but if the writing is otherwise semiliterate, one expects that sort of thing. I've seen this error repeated over and over again by some of our most astute members, and it's beneath them.

Further bulletins as my obsessions warrant.

Miles · Post by **Miles** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 1:47 am

I've found that Nazis of all stripes; spelling Nazis, syntax Nazis, punctuation Nazis, etc. are compensating, and are best not fed either by acknowledgment or acquiescence.

Enculasse Deskeubs · Post by **Enculasse Deskeubs** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 3:16 am

Considering that not everyone speaks English as a native language, and the state of the American public education system, I'm happy if I can tell what a person is tryig to say. I can see being miffed if one purchases a book and the spelling is atrocious, but on a message forum? It's casual.

cnorman18 · Post by **cnorman18** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 9:41 am

Miles wrote:I've found that Nazis of all stripes; spelling Nazis, syntax Nazis, punctuation Nazis, etc. are compensating, and are best not fed either by acknowledgment or acquiescence.

Oh, please. If I were "compensating" (for what, one wonders? Veiled attack by innuendo might be called "compensating," too), I would hardly have called myself "the Spelling Nazi." REAL Nazis rarely engage in self-deprecating humor. Lighten up, dude.

Enculasse Deskeubs wrote:Considering that not everyone speaks English as a native language, and the state of the American public education system, I'm happy if I can tell what a person is tryig to say. I can see being miffed if one purchases a book and the spelling is atrocious, but on a message forum? It's casual.

Who says I was "miffed"? I thought that some of those who do this -- who ARE native speakers of English -- might like to know that their usage was incorrect and avoid even the appearance of ignorance. I would be grateful if others did the same for me, if I ever made such groce missteaks.

If you think concern with correct spelling ought to be abolished because it doesn't matter, and that we should all just lie down and accept the inadequacy of the public education system and go with the flow, fine; I disagree. In my opinion, the English language is bleeding to death quite quickly enough without explicit disregard for correct spelling, grammar, punctuation, etc., in the popular media.

One doesn't want to end up like the Scotsman who walked into the wrong public restroom because he thought the sign said "Laddies." Spelling matters, in my humble opinion. A little good-natured attention to it isn't out of place anywhere except perhaps bathroom walls.

Lux · Post by **Lux** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 10:22 am

Enculasse Deskeubs wrote:Considering that not everyone speaks English as a native language, and the state of the American public education system, I'm happy if I can tell what a person is tryig to say. I can see being miffed if one purchases a book and the spelling is atrocious, but on a message forum? It's casual.

Those (like me) that are not native English speakers might embrace the opportunity to improve their domain of the language. I feel like my English has improved a lot since I joined this site, and just like I did in my introduction post, I invite all "spalling nazis" out there to feel free to correct my mistakes. I'm still learning, as I will always be.

Enculasse Deskeubs · Post by **Enculasse Deskeubs** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 11:55 am

Who says I was "miffed"?

Umm...I dunno. I didn't.

If you think concern with correct spelling ought to be abolished because it doesn't matter, and that we should all just lie down and accept the inadequacy of the public education system and go with the flow, fine; I disagree.

No, if I thought that, I would have said that. I just said that I was happy. If I had to proofread my grammar just to please you, I might not be quite so happy, but your opinion of my grammar isn't really a concern for me, so, I'm happy. You should be happy that I'm talking to you.

cnorman18 · Post by **cnorman18** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 12:38 pm

Enculasse Deskeubs wrote:
Who says I was "miffed"?
Umm...I dunno. I didn't.

If you think concern with correct spelling ought to be abolished because it doesn't matter, and that we should all just lie down and accept the inadequacy of the public education system and go with the flow, fine; I disagree.
No, if I thought that, I would have said that. I just said that I was happy. If I had to proofread my grammar just to please you, I might not be quite so happy, but your opinion of my grammar isn't really a concern for me, so, I'm happy. You should be happy that I'm talking to you.

Oh, I am! I am!

Miles · Post by **Miles** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 5:04 pm

cnorman18 wrote:
Miles wrote:I've found that Nazis of all stripes; spelling Nazis, syntax Nazis, punctuation Nazis, etc. are compensating, and are best not fed either by acknowledgment or acquiescence.
Oh, please. If I were "compensating" (for what, one wonders? Veiled attack by innuendo might be called "compensating," too), I would hardly have called myself "the Spelling Nazi." REAL Nazis rarely engage in self-deprecating humor. Lighten up, dude.

Nah. The "Spelling Nazi" is just there to give the appearance of flippancy. The tone of your post gives you away.

Enculasse Deskeubs · Post by **Enculasse Deskeubs** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 7:38 pm

I wonder if the rest of us should be known as "spelling Jews".

cnorman18 · Post by **cnorman18** » Mon Oct 11, 2010 8:24 pm

Miles wrote:
cnorman18 wrote:
Miles wrote:I've found that Nazis of all stripes; spelling Nazis, syntax Nazis, punctuation Nazis, etc. are compensating, and are best not fed either by acknowledgment or acquiescence.
Oh, please. If I were "compensating" (for what, one wonders? Veiled attack by innuendo might be called "compensating," too), I would hardly have called myself "the Spelling Nazi." REAL Nazis rarely engage in self-deprecating humor. Lighten up, dude.
Nah. The "Spelling Nazi" is just there to give the appearance of flippancy. The tone of your post gives you away.

Ah. Yes, I see what you mean. How foolish of me to hope that my arrogance, conceit and contemptuous disdain for everyone would be concealed by such a transparent ruse.

My apologies to everyone. Spell as you like.