Chard wrote on Apr 16
th, 2013 at 10:54pm:
Lionel Edriess wrote on Apr 16
th, 2013 at 10:42pm:
John Smith wrote on Apr 16
th, 2013 at 9:42pm:
How can an observer tell the difference between a bomb sniffing dogs and a drug sniffing dogs? ...
Easy!
Bomb sniffing dogs just sniff. Bomb-sniffing dogs have ulterior motives and police handlers.
Drug sniffing dogs have red eyes and insatiable appetites. Drug-sniffing dogs are clear-eyed and fit.
Ok, mass props for knowing the proper utilization of a hyphen. You gave my inner Grammar Nazi a stiffy.
Very droll.
Are you familiar with the sensation of fingernails dragged across a blackboard or 'aluminum' foil on a filling? I'm a bit like that with grammar.
I'm a big fan of people being able to express themselves without ambiguity and, as such, find it very difficult to differentiate between, for example, irony and sarcasm when written as opposed to the spoken form.
If I'm to be termed a 'Grammar Nazi', so what? I shall not invoke Godwin to stifle discussion.
If, at the very least, I'm able to impart some understanding of the difference between a spoken language and that which is written, am I not contributing to the improvement of on-line discourse? The merits of the possession of a poly-syllabic vocabulary when engaging in discussion/debate?
You do me wrong, sir. My intent is not to denigrate, merely educate.
Indeed, your own admission that my playful verbiage results in a 'stiffy' would indicate an interest in such badinage.
Perhaps you should congratulate, rather than castigate, my previous poor attempt at somewhat subtle humour, now given such an insight into my motivations?
Thank you for both your time and your input.