Comments on: When Clichés Work “Like Gangbusters”

By: jackforde

jackforde — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:27:26 +0000

Judith » Thanks! I hope one day to make typos my trademark… it would save me a lot of time and embarassment…. embarrasment… wait, embarrassment. Yes, that’s it.

By: Judith

Judith — Mon, 26 Sep 2011 16:16:56 +0000

I really enjoyed this funny post – typos notwithstanding.

I admit I’m guilty of using cliche’s as well, but you have elevated it to another level by using at least one on each sentence.

By: Kim Grass

Kim Grass — Fri, 23 Sep 2011 01:18:27 +0000

First: My god, you actually read these comments. Very cool. Thank you for such a classy and helpful answer.

Second: I’m an ex-school teacher. Not a Jesuit or nun, mind you. Guess it’s hard for me to put away my red grading pen!

Finally, I agree that the message is the top priority. I so admire your conversational writing style. Having written so many formal papers (read Master’s Thesis, proposals), I’m finding it very difficult to relax and gain a story teller’s voice.

Thank you for putting together such an informative website. I spent about four hours reading your posts, articles, and book recommendations yesterday. You’ve created a treasure trove!

By: jackforde

jackforde — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 21:28:59 +0000

Kim Grass » Hi Kim, you are not “mere”… and many thanks for catching those! May I take some consolation in this: I had a Jesuit history teacher who used to say, “A slip of the tongue (or hand) is not a slip of the mind.” I’d like to credit those to an over-ardent spell-checker, but it was just mean typing in word substitutions in a hasty entry.

You’re probably right, though, that editorial errors are on the rise. Chalk it up to the faster pace of publication today. Or maybe the ease with which so many things get published. Or too much TV and not enough reading. Or typing drunk. Whatever it is, there are excuses but maybe none of them, persuasive. I would say that yes, grammar and spelling do matter.

However, all of that said… message always matters more. I’ve heard some wise people speak with halting vocabulary and dumb accents, while still making a whole lot of sense. And it’s got to be at least somewhat the same in print. As for me, I like that people read closely enough to catch the errors, but I can’t say I’m always happy when they’ve found one.

By: Kim Grass

Kim Grass — Wed, 21 Sep 2011 19:52:23 +0000

I know you are fabulously successful. I know you have a depth of experience and breadth of knowledge from which I could gain a wealth of information.

I am a mere beginner. Looking to you and the other greats of copywriting as my mentors.

So forgive me for pointing out two glaring typos: “There’s nothing worse, after all, then phrases…” (then should be than) and “that’s a piece of advice will have to return to…” (will should be we’ll)

I’ve noticed so many mistakes in the finest of publications lately. I don’t think anyone pays for editing (including, or maybe especially, book publishers) any more. It seems like such a small issue on the surface. But editorial errors in copy make me seriously consider the quality of the product or service.

I’m not questioning your knowledge of grammar and spelling here.

My question is: From your professional point of view, should we be concerned about this growing pattern of errors in the printed word?

Does grammar and spelling matter any more?

Thank you so much for sharing your expertise.