BajaNomad

English 101

bajalera - 9-1-2009 at 11:14 AM

Because of my benevolent nature--as well as recent evidence that one of the inferior minds within our midst is badly in need of assistance--I have found it necessary to upgrade my established position as Arbiter of the Apostrophe to Arbiter of English Usage (without an increase in compenstion).

I realize that it will be difficult for a dried up little brain to assimilate complex scholarly material, but am hopeful it will be able to fathom the following rule.

Rule No. 1: When a quotation ends a sentence, the period goes inside the quotation mark. [Unless you are British.]

By devoting attention to the study of Rule No. 1, Birdbrain may be able to avoid the shocking deviation from good form he demonstrated in a recent Off Topic post.

Cheers!

DENNIS - 9-1-2009 at 11:19 AM

Give 'em Hell, Lera.

Now...Who might Birdbrain be? :lol:

That's OK....I found it. Thought for a minute you were refering to one who dines on used toilet paper. You know...the other Birdbrain.

[Edited on 9-1-2009 by DENNIS]

gnukid - 9-1-2009 at 11:55 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalera
Because of my benevolent nature--as well as recent evidence that one of the inferior minds within our midst is badly in need of assistance--I have found it necessary to upgrade my established position as Arbiter of the Apostrophe to Arbiter of English Usage (without an increase in compenstion).


You wrote, "(without an increase in compenstion)" though perhaps you meant to write compensation, however, by calling attention to the issue you are compensating. You may find the word remuneration more to your liking in this case or reference to your tendencies toward compensation.

Quote:

I realize that it will be difficult for a dried up little brain to assimilate complex scholarly material, but am hopeful it will be able to fathom the following rule.

Rule No. 1: When a quotation ends a sentence, the period goes inside the quotation mark. [Unless you are British.]

By devoting attention to the study of Rule No. 1, Birdbrain may be able to avoid the shocking deviation from good form he demonstrated in a recent Off Topic post.

Cheers!


In regard to quotations and the placement of the period within the quotes for the United States or outside the quotes for a final stop for British writers, recall that the forum with which you direct your commentary is determined to be foreign to either place and therefore difficult to determine the origin of the writer. One can safely assume that a fair portion are European or Canadian who follow British form and quite a few others who follow the form found in the USA, while others are foreign to both and follow the form from which they are educated.

Since the period or final stop within or out of the quotation has little affect on the meaning, nor pronunciation, it is considered a point of style and consistency, the point has little merit here on Baja Nomads except of course to suggest that we do like to see a proper ending to sentences.

While pedantic attention to grammar and style is of importance, for without we would be lost entirely, I would argue the case of the period or final stop use you site is ambiguous enough to allow for either case without great offense to the reader.

[Edited on 9-1-2009 by gnukid]

Bajahowodd - 9-1-2009 at 12:05 PM

While pedantic attention to grammar and style is of importance, for without we would be lost entirely, I would argue the case of the period or final stop use you site is ambiguous enough to allow for either case without great offense to the reader

I think you meant cite.:saint:

DENNIS - 9-1-2009 at 12:16 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd

I think you meant cite.:saint:



I think you mean "mean" as he is speaking in the present tense and has done nothing to change that. :spingrin:

vandenberg - 9-1-2009 at 12:24 PM

Always knew this was a "mean site/cite".":biggrin::biggrin:

Bajahowodd - 9-1-2009 at 12:39 PM

Ah, but the word mean has some colloquial usages that do not necessarily mean mean.

[Edited on 9-1-2009 by Bajahowodd]

arrowhead - 9-1-2009 at 12:51 PM



[Edited on 9-1-2009 by arrowhead]

Taco de Baja - 9-1-2009 at 12:52 PM

What is the mien, and the mean age of mean old men?

toneart - 9-1-2009 at 01:01 PM

If the mean grammatical quotient of our Nomad posters were to be scrutinized by our mean grammar police, most of us would be cited for our transgressions on this site. You can quote me but please employ proper placement of the period.:P;)

edited to add the following twirlyhead>>>> :spingrin:

[Edited on 9-1-2009 by toneart]

DENNIS - 9-1-2009 at 01:24 PM

"Mean" means a lot of things:

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/mean

Didn't see Chow Mean on the list. Probably 'cause it's a Japanese word.

Osprey - 9-1-2009 at 01:50 PM

I just let my software, Ramblestop, handle all my light work.

Bajahowodd - 9-1-2009 at 01:56 PM

I thought Chow Mean was Chinese.

DENNIS - 9-1-2009 at 02:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I thought Chow Mean was Chinese.



That's Chow Mein. It's made from the long hair from a horses neck. A world of difference.

bajalera - 9-1-2009 at 03:55 PM

Ooops, a typo! Thanks, Gnu.

As clearly stated in the heading, I am dealing only with English Usage, by implication as applied in the U.S.

As for authority, mine is the Chicago Manual of Style 14th Edition [which outranks the Bible although its nowhere near as sexy.]

k-rico - 9-1-2009 at 03:59 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalera the Arbiter of the Apostrophe
which outranks the Bible although its nowhere near as sexy


doh!

BajaNuts - 9-1-2009 at 04:06 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I thought Chow Mean was Chinese.



That's Chow Mein. It's made from the long hair from a horses neck. A world of difference.


I always find chow mane a little stringy.

DENNIS - 9-1-2009 at 04:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNuts

I always find chow mane a little stringy.


That's Chow [that means food] Mein [that meens Horse Hair.]
It has ancient oriental medicinal qualities, ya know. "Hair Of The Horse?" You've heard of that stuff.

k-rico - 9-1-2009 at 04:11 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNuts
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
I thought Chow Mean was Chinese.



That's Chow Mein. It's made from the long hair from a horses neck. A world of difference.


I always find chow mane a little stringy.


Yes, but lobster; that is, Chow Maine is good.

Just to be silly.

Russ - 9-1-2009 at 04:13 PM

I don't care what any of you editorialist say I'm not going back and correct my posts/articles.:fire:

Bajahowodd - 9-1-2009 at 04:14 PM

Chow Yun Fat?

DENNIS - 9-1-2009 at 04:17 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by k-rico
Yes, but lobster; that is, Chow Maine is good.



Good one. :lol:
All of this frivolity as our friends down south are getting their butts blown off. Oh well....I prayed. What more can one do?

Cypress - 9-1-2009 at 04:17 PM

bajalera, Thanks for the information. Really! Took "bone head" English as a college senior, passed, but nobody failed if they went to class. Anybody that has mastered the "art" of the English language has my utmost respect.:bounce:

DENNIS - 9-1-2009 at 04:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bajahowodd
Chow Yun Fat?


Inedible [unless you're in Borneo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chow_Yun-Fat

bajalera - 9-2-2009 at 02:39 PM

The History/Lit forum is obviously a venue for a varied assortment of Superior Minds.

Eat your misbeguided heart out, BileMan!

DENNIS - 9-2-2009 at 02:47 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalera
varied assortment



Hate to say it, Leramia, but that's repeatedly redundant. :lol: I think.

Could be your equipment

Osprey - 9-2-2009 at 03:06 PM

Word mongers need modern equipment. Here'a a letter I had to write to a writer friend in the states.


Mindcheck




Dear Robert;

How you doin? How are things in Modernlandia? How is Clair? You two still together? Not much news on my end down here in sleepytown. Not having much luck with the writing. Some more of my really great stories have been rejected, again. You know me. I am not a whiner. Ask anyone. This is not whining; I think I have a legitimate complaint here. I am not wholly to blame. It's the equipment. My skills are finely honed, I am energized, ready for publication and recognition. Not now. Not right now with this kind of equipment. My computer and all of its software is circa 1994. Oh, it has a program for writing letters, doing spreadsheets. It has Spellcheck and it counts words and lets me set up the pages just the way I want. It even has Cut and a thing called Paste (whatever that is). After that the thing leaves me pretty much on my own. It is becoming painfully clear to me that I am not going to get published using this old equipment.

I'm not alone. There are others out there, skilled, ready to go but they lack modern writing tools. Not all of us have big corporate bankrolls for modern startup equipment. This gap keeps us little guys from getting a proper start. The famous writers, the bestsellers have state-of-the-art writing gear. I'm stuck here in Tinylittlemexicanpueblo -- I don't have access to the good stuff.

I know what I need; I know it's out there. It's not just a program, it is a combination of hardware and software developed for Novelling. Please drop me a line or call me with information about costs and availability.

Bob, below is my "wish list" of programs and applications, I won't have all the icons or functions named in the same fashion as the program writers but you'll get the idea -- I know there are more so don't just stop with the list. Let me know the full range of goodies and, of course, the dreaded cost:

1. Mindcheck. After 200 words something flashes to let you know if you are off to a bad start. A real time-saver.
2. DBD. Delete Bird Droppings. At times even the most accomplished author drops a tiny, inconsequential idea on the reader. If the idea is not quickly developed into something necessary to the story line the reader regards it as nothing more than a little bird dropping.
3. Ramble Stop. (self explanatory)
4. DXT. Delete Extranea. This will be a "Choice" window. It will let me choose "on" or "off". When "on" the function will automatically eliminate extraneous stuff before it becomes a giant sore on the nose of the story. (I need the latitude of choice on this one -- after all, it's just a machine)
5. CHPDEL. Chapter Delete. Another "choice" window. Will allow me to delete the whole chapter then asks "are you going to write a replacement chapter or do you want this chapter removed from the index and the following chapter moved up one?"
6. FWC. Funny Word Check. A question mark will appear after any foreign word which might not fit exactly in that particular part of the story. Bob, this will probably be a CD that I will have to pay for separately and then install. It probably works like this: suppose I use an Urdu word (the only foreign word in the story), the program helps me decide if there will be sufficient readership with enough knowledge of the Urdu language to fully appreciate the passion, comedy, insight, etc. the word adds to the story.
7. PBF. Publisher's Format. This will probably be sold separately. The program will scroll publishers and agents. When you click on Format the story will be formatted in the style requested by these people. You will find this on the same aisle as PBE, PubEat. With this you can match the story or book to the publisher by the "appetite profile" of the potential publisher/agent.
That's about it. If you can also find a Dust Cover Clip Art with 20,000 or more figures/photos/paintings with a morph kit, I could sure use it. Remember, pal, I don't have unlimited funds. I don't need a brand new computer. I just need better equipment than I have now. Another quick thought: I'll bet guys like Grisham, King, Clancy have enough money to buy new equipment all the time. They're probably too proud to sell the used stuff -- their old writing gear is most likely lying around somewhere in an old closet gathering dust. Maybe you could appeal to them through the `net -- "young writer, trying to get started, great potential, no funds, an orphan, like that."
Thanks a million pal,
Jorge

Paula - 9-2-2009 at 03:29 PM

Osprey, can hardly wait 'til you start Novelling!

With you Novelling and Lera doing History I'll be in READ city!!!

DENNIS - 9-2-2009 at 03:36 PM

A heartfelt, desperate plea for sure, Jorge. When all else fails, dig deep into the writers bag of tricks for the tool that almost always works, plagiarism. Couple that with an endless string of famous quotes and it'll be a best seller.

Osprey - 9-2-2009 at 04:43 PM

Dennis, I could never stoop to plagiarism. I need a clean, guilt free mind to be able to write. That's the only way I can feel truly free and liberated. Give me liberty or give me birria.

[Edited on 9-3-2009 by Osprey]

DENNIS - 9-2-2009 at 05:08 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Osprey
Dennis, I could never stoop to plagiarism. I need a clean, guilt free mind to be able to write. That's the only way I can feel truly free and liberated. Give me freedom or give me death.


:lol::lol:

bajalera - 9-3-2009 at 12:49 PM

You are so right, Dennis, as well as correct.

DENNIS - 9-3-2009 at 12:53 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalera
You are so right, Dennis, as well as correct.


Well, thank you, Lera. I value my conservative ideals. They've always led me in the write direction.

jeans - 9-3-2009 at 04:31 PM

Oh, what joyful discourse!

It wets my appetite for more.

I shall wait with baited breath ;)

gnukid - 9-3-2009 at 04:38 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jeans
Oh, what joyful discourse!

It wets my appetite for more.

I shall wait with baited breath ;)


Bated breath.

----

Unabated is unrestrained, abated is restrained or restricted and bated is short for abated. Bated breath is subdued or restricted breathing, perhaps because of excitement or anticipation.

... comes up often with my sisters.

[Edited on 9-3-2009 by gnukid]

jeans - 9-3-2009 at 05:54 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
Quote:
Originally posted by jeans
Oh, what joyful discourse!

It wets my appetite for more.

I shall wait with baited breath ;)


Bated breath.

----

Unabated is unrestrained, abated is restrained or restricted and bated is short for abated. Bated breath is subdued or restricted breathing, perhaps because of excitement or anticipation.

... comes up often with my sisters.

[Edited on 9-3-2009 by gnukid]


Ok...you took the bait...at least one of them

DENNIS - 9-3-2009 at 06:00 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jeans
wets



As in, dampening on a whet stone. That always made me sweat like a river rock.

jeans - 9-3-2009 at 06:10 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by jeans
wets



As in, dampening on a whet stone. That always made me sweat like a river rock.


Bingo

Whet
verb (used with object) 1. to sharpen (a knife, tool, etc.) by grinding or friction.
2. to make keen or eager; stimulate: to whet the appetite; to whet the curiosity.

Seeing those two mis-used words raises my inner Grammar N-zi.

Santiago - 9-3-2009 at 06:23 PM

I, out of feelings for my lesser foe, ignored the obvious error.......you still packin' heat????

jeans - 9-3-2009 at 07:03 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
I, out of feelings for my lesser foe, ignored the obvious error.......you still packin' heat????


I would like you to think so...:o

Neal Johns - 9-3-2009 at 08:46 PM

I think you should all brake off this noncence.
:?::?::?::?::?::?:

DENNIS - 9-3-2009 at 08:57 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
I, out of feelings for my lesser foe, ignored the obvious error.......you still in heat????



My word. This is a family sight, uno.

jeans - 9-3-2009 at 10:22 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Neal Johns
I think you should all brake off this noncence.
:?::?::?::?::?::?:


It had to be ewe...only ewe

WIW #1:dudette:

DENNIS - 9-3-2009 at 10:26 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jeans
It had to be ewe...only ewe



Hoo? Ewe Efner at the Gayboy Mansion? Hoo? Tell us.

BajaNuts - 9-3-2009 at 10:41 PM

Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by jeans
wets



As in, dampening on a whet stone. That always made me sweat like a river rock. "}


I've never seen a rock sweat! WOW! you must have some patients to be able to sit there and wait for a river rock to sweat!

Ahmazing!

jeans - 9-3-2009 at 11:05 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS
Quote:
Originally posted by jeans
It had to be ewe...only ewe



Hoo? Ewe Efner at the Gayboy Mansion? Hoo? Tell us.

This is between me and the Error Dahlogyst

Don't sweat the small stuff

wessongroup - 9-4-2009 at 05:24 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Russ
I don't care what any of you editorialist say I'm not going back and correct my posts/articles.:fire:


Your a man after my own heart...

Keep up the good work ;D;D;D

bajalera - 9-4-2009 at 09:14 AM

He's write as rein.

DENNIS - 9-4-2009 at 09:16 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalera
He's write as rein.



Rain Of Terror = Hurricane Jamima

jeans - 9-4-2009 at 09:56 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by BajaNuts
Quote:
Originally posted by DENNIS

As in, dampening on a whet stone. That always made me sweat like a river rock. "

I've never seen a rock sweat! WOW! you must have some patients to be able to sit there and wait for a river rock to sweat!

Ahmazing!

Oh Geez.. now it Dr. Dennis :rolleyes:

Oso - 9-4-2009 at 10:50 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid


Since the period or final stop within or out of the quotation has little affect on the meaning, nor pronunciation, it is considered a point of style and consistency, the point has little merit here on Baja Nomads except of course to suggest that we do like to see a proper ending to sentences.


[Edited on 9-1-2009 by gnukid]


Well, I'm late to this thread. But I find such affectation has little effect on good conversation and cannot affect the quality of these musings.
With affection,
Oso:lol:

DENNIS - 9-4-2009 at 10:53 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by jeans
Oh Geez.. now it Dr. Dennis :rolleyes:


I'm running on empty here but, I like that Dr. part.
Yep...Tha's me. Dr. Dennis...The patience friend.

DENNIS - 9-4-2009 at 10:58 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Oso
With affection,
Oso:lol:



You have an affection? Tha's rite down my Ali. Dr. Dennis....at your service.

jeans - 9-4-2009 at 01:19 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Oso
With affection,
Oso:lol:

You have an affection?
There's a cream for that.

You'd better head for the boarder

Santiago - 9-4-2009 at 04:51 PM

Jeans: have you ever thought that maybe she didn't mean quite THAT different??

jeans - 9-4-2009 at 05:51 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Santiago
Jeans: have you ever thought that maybe she didn't mean quite THAT different??

Just upholding a family tradition.
Mom will be the first one to tell you that we come from a long line of punsters. She is truly the funniest person I know. Think Lucille Ball.

I took them deer hunting in Wyo. They had been marlin fishing two days prior. Decked out in Hunter Orange she climbs up on the horse while it is still tied up and says 'CAST OFF THE BOW LINE"

I apologize to 'Lera for this hijacking...she can have her thread back now....

Parsing Through This "Discussion"

Gypsy Jan - 9-4-2009 at 06:34 PM

(No period needed in or out of quote marks.) Leaves me with one overwhelming response. :Hay una hacha en mi cabeza.

[Edited on 9-5-2009 by Gypsy Jan]

DENNIS - 9-4-2009 at 06:35 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by jeans
I apologize to 'Lera for this hijacking...she can have her thread back now....



We'll sea about that. Wi Mae knot bee dun.

bajalera - 9-11-2009 at 08:28 PM

Escusadame, Jeans, butt eye done wan this thred bak. Kerry on!

toneart - 9-11-2009 at 09:07 PM

Your definitely a personified, possessive pronoun-verb, even if you donot no your really a noun in you're reel life... a passively omitted contraction for which exists many patience (but not here, not me, know how).

Calling Dr. Dennis! He will right a new prescript before you can heel. (Are you following me?) Just put you're best toe forward.:spingrin: That's getting way to progressive, you loping on down the rode.

I was reel embarrassed when you started discusting periods. :barf:

DENNIS - 9-12-2009 at 06:39 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by toneart
I was reel embarrassed when you started discusting periods. :barf:


If one ever listened to MrBull, one would be left to assme Ms. Leramia is beyond that stage in her life. :tumble:

durrelllrobert - 9-12-2009 at 09:27 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
[ I would argue the case of the period or final stop use you site is ambiguous enough to allow for either case without great offense to the reader.

[Edited on 9-1-2009 by gnukid]


as long as the priod is "orientated :tumble:.) properly

toneart - 9-12-2009 at 09:54 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by durrelllrobert
Quote:
Originally posted by gnukid
[ I would argue the case of the period or final stop use you site is ambiguous enough to allow for either case without great offense to the reader.

[Edited on 9-1-2009 by gnukid]


as long as the priod is "orientated :tumble:.) properly


Ahhh...the "priod" has a softer ring to it, if you will pardon my placement of the preposition in this pathetic passage.;D

Oso - 9-12-2009 at 12:46 PM

Engrish, Japanese style:

http://www.ebaumsworld.com/pictures/view/80741639/

bajalera - 9-22-2009 at 12:39 PM

Thanks, Oso--I needed a good laugh.

vandenberg - 9-22-2009 at 12:42 PM

...period....:biggrin:

BajaNuts - 9-23-2009 at 12:13 PM

I posted a funny video about "teaching Asian grandma proper English" in OffTopics-

I'm not posting the link to that post here because it's in Off Topics, but check it out if you want to...........