Monday, March 28, 2016

A Grammatical Snippet

In a rant on Donald Trump and AIPAC, I referred to the frighteningly real candidate for President as Mr. I'm-My-Own-Advisor.

At least, I tried.

I typed it, and Lenore the Lenovo's grammar consultant went into a red ziggy frenzy.  The Grammarian In Charge looked at that last word and she wanted that o to be an e.  She was brooking no resistance.

I went to dictionaries, both on-line and on paper, and was told that the o is less prevalent than the e but that both are appropriate.  I am free to choose.

I spent an inordinate amount of time wondering why advisor looked more Presidential. Adviser seems less important to my eye, for no reason that I can conjure.  An adviser can be your barber; an advisor sounds as if she's trained for the role.

I gave in and used Adviser in that post; but it's been bothering me ever since.  This is my attempt to set things right.

This is where my brain goes when all my teams are losing.

10 comments:

  1. I chuckled at this post 'cause I do the same thing. I fret about grammar. If I'm not certain, I always look it up. I like advisor better too.

    Hope you had a lovely weekend.


    Megan xxx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Just another reason you're here every day, Megan :-)

      Delete
  2. I use the o but not sure why. I guess because it seems more like a position.

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    Replies
    1. Exactly! It feels more important for no discernible reason.
      a/b

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  3. Used to be a problem when I worked at a university. Faculty were always in discussion over this world shattering problem. Everyone had their own opinion. I prefer o.

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  4. You made me laugh when I read your last line. Sorry for the bad luck with your teams.
    We actually have our University of Washington Women Huskies in the Final Four, and I have never even paid any attention to them. I guess I should reform. Maybe you could be my sports advisor.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hehehe..... I don't follow the women's game very closely, Linda :-(
      As your advisor I am happy to be an adviser :-)
      a/b

      Delete

Talk back to me! Word Verification is gone!