Tuesday, August 17, 2010

CMoS

I frequent the Chicago Manual of Style fairly often at work. I guess now is when I make some kind of “Bible” reference.

… I refuse.

Today, under section 5.191 for those of you following along (ok, ok I love the “work Bible” references! But I hate myself for loving it if that counts for anything.), I came across this quote that they actually were hilarious enough to include in their official, peer-reviewed guidance on "Beginning a Sentence with a Conjunction." It comes from Charles Allen Lloyd, “Next to the groundless notion that it is incorrect to end an English sentence with a preposition, perhaps the most wide-spread of the many false beliefs about the use of our language is the equally groundless notion that it is incorrect to begin one with ‘but’ or ‘and.’ As in the case of the superstition about the prepositional ending, no textbook supports it, but apparently about half of our teachers of English go out of their way to handicap their pupils by inculcating it. One cannot help wondering whether those who teach such a monstrous doctrine ever read any English themselves.”

Well ok then.

I just love the keywords, “groundless notion,” “handicap,” and “monstrous” because, Charles, you are berating me and not only do I deserve it, but I want your approval now more than ever. Take notes teacher roommates. The abuse cycle is the only way to educate.

3 comments:

kfmcb said...

And this blog was posted BEFORE the thievery I'm assuming or you would have had more to appreciate/place your emotions on rather than CMo'S. Thank you for continuing to blog tragedy after tragedy

Gentzy said...

And every time I begin a sentence with a conjunction I will think of you. And I will love you.

megan said...

I just need to tell you two things:
1) I clicked on a comment on laura hendricks blog to see who it was cause they had the same favorite book as me and it was you. so that's cool.
2) I love your blog.

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