http://cptv.vo.llnwd.net/o2/ypmwebcontent/Chion/Colin%20McEnroe%20Show%2008-16-2011.mp3
In reading somebody else's pet peeves about the state of the English language, it is impossible not to think of one's own. But here I must pause and say that Roy Blount Jr.'s "Alphabetterjuice" seems to address every eventuality, including the question of pet peeves. Blount reports:
Recently a mailing from the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals put this question to me: “Would your pet like to become a blood donor?” In case my pet would, the mailing provided a number in Boston to call.
"Snowpaw, would you like to become a blood donor?"
"Rrrrrrrr."
"OK, I'm just asking because --"
"Rrrrrrr."
My own pet peeves include the corruption of "beg the question" and the word bemused. And those are just the best. I'm also puzzled as to the sudden vogue for beginning statements with the word "so." We'll talk about all of the above with Roy today if it's ok with Snowpaw.
(Chion Wolf joins us in the third segment to read your emails on our mailbag segment, The Sack!)
Leave your comments below, e-mail colin@wnpr.org or Tweet us @wnprcolin.
***This episode originally aired August 16, 2011.***
