Grammar Question…
(photo found here)
What’s with the quotes? Really, don’t we mean, DO NOT EAT, as in the imperative, not as in a quote from a play or something? Ted brought me home some Secretariat movie swag (knowing my horsie love), and the binoculars came with some desiccant that included this message. I was confused. Should I eat it, or was the quote really a warning? Like, “Beware the ides of March” No. Probably more than that.
3 Comments
Ted
My guess is that the packet was made in another country where English isn’t the primary language. There must have been some debate back and forth about if they should include the quote or not — probably brought on by the excessive amount of air quoting that goes on in our culture.
Dad Who Writes
Maybe they’re a bit embarrassed at having to tell you something so supposedly obvious?
C
HA! I love that. I’m inclined to go with Ted’s guess. Gah! Gotta love the quotation marks! LOL! Maybe you should ask Grammar Girl. I love her website!