When I’ve mentioned to others my penchant for grammar rules and the Chicago Manual of Style, I am often met with blank stares. I get it—loving words and language is not exactly typical. I’m guessing it sounds a little nerdy. That’s why I try to raise interest here, via Which Word Wednesday and other language-related posts. I think at least a few of you have converted . . . but most people aren’t interested in all that.
But I think my day has come, people! Weird Al has a new song titled “Word Crimes,” in which he sets just a few of my favorite linguistic rules to song. #bestillmyheart
You simply must give it a watch here:
I’ve never been a Weird Al fan, but seriously, I want to make him my new best friend. It’s up there with School House Rock’s “Conjunction Junction.”
And did you catch this verse in “Word Crimes”?
Well, you should hire
Some cunning linguist
To help you distinguish what is proper English
So true. To ensure your communications are innocent of all word crimes, find yourself a cunning linguist. (Perhaps even me!)
Thanks, Weird Al, for raising awareness for proper English and reminding me I’m not the only one who fancies language.
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