Speling crissis

[zotz]

There's an article about spelling in the Grauniad too, and it's flagged above the masthead on the front page with an accompanying photograph of a sign saying "Dont feed the hores".

Have I mentioned recently that I'm very easily amused?

Comments

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

There was somebody in my year called Tiffany Hore. She nearly got onto University Challenge. We were sympathetic.

[zotz]

original_aj posted this link recently. Fifth down, fifth across.

[nisaba.livejournal.com]

*snorts juice over her keyboard*

Oh dear, that's highly unfortunate. Let's hope for her sake she never emmigrates to the UK.

[zotz]

It's actually a great shame. Of course, it might be fake.

[childeric.livejournal.com]

OMG! That's never real, is it?

[nisaba.livejournal.com]

Could be - I don't think 'minge' means anything particularly in the US (does it? You have American connections...)

[childeric.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'm talking to rabhairt at the moment. I'll ask her. Lovely topic of conversation.... :-)

[nisaba.livejournal.com]

Chicks dig it.

[childeric.livejournal.com]

Well, I've asked now. If she denounces me as vile and potty-mouthed, and never speaks to me again, I shall hold you responsible.

[rabhairt.livejournal.com]

i denounce you! no, americans don't use it, i'll check and see if anyone realises what i'm talking about on set tomorrow...i've already introduced several unsavoury expressions into (limited) american useage.

[zotz]

Hmm. A better thing would be to ask an actual American whether they know the word. One who's not lived outside the US.

[nisaba.livejournal.com]

I think it's a particularly British term - Australians don't generally use it, although I've managed to pick up what it means (I think, I've never quite worked out if it's just the hair or, er, the whole lot, so to speak).

[zotz]

From the OED:
The female genitals; pubic hair. Hence allusively: women, regarded collectively as objects of sexual gratification.

It's always just been pubes where I've lived, and I've not come across the last sense at all.

My, what genteel conversations we do have.

[nisaba.livejournal.com]

You know how you said you're easily amused? I don't think you're alone on that one...

So men can't have gingers minges then? Do men have another word for their pubes?

[zotz]

No. And, actually, I can't think of one offhand. Maybe if I get drunk and obnoxious later (I'm going to a book launch) I'll remember one.

[nisaba.livejournal.com]

Or make one up. It doesn't seem fair, leaving male pubes out like that! They'll feel left out and discriminated against.

[skx.livejournal.com]

Don't forget the merkin (http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=merkin), although it's specifically for women I've always assumed there is a male variety too...

Dun Merkin'

[shaunotd.livejournal.com]

So it has been alleged: for all The Straight Dope on Merkinsgo here

[rabhairt.livejournal.com]

i'm reporting back after extensive research...well i asked a few people today. none of them had ever heard the word...now all of them use it. sorry ginger! if this spreads the minges of america are no longer safe.

[zotz]

Is it alright if I quote you out of context?

[rabhairt.livejournal.com]

i'd be horribly disappointed if you didn't!

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

The thing that boggled me about that is, why do all those graduates appear to only have one suit and one evening dress between them?

[twicezero.livejournal.com]

yeah, that kinda threw me also. I was thinking, yeah the usual, the blokes all dress the same, then i looked at the tops of all the girls dresses.. scary-ville

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

Hundreds of ageing rockers and gay men must be disappointed annually!

[nisaba.livejournal.com]

My favourite, although this may only appeal to Australians, was a huge chalkboard outside a bottle shop in Cambridge, that read "We sell FAGS!".

They took it down before I got a picture to send home, sadly.

[inulro.livejournal.com]

Oh, it'll appeal to the North Americans as well.

[guybles.livejournal.com]

Personally, I was mortified deeply amused by the typo on the front of the Grauniad supplement that renamed it "2G", right underneath the phrase "What spelling crisis?"

[zotz]

That has just got to have been on purpose.

Surely?

[steer.livejournal.com]

I just tried grauniad.co.uk and it's not yet registered. Irksomely, after that I was unable to spell guardian to get back to the proper site.

[zotz]

That's odd. It certainly used to be.

[zotz]

It is. The Guardian has it, but for some reason they haven't got it pointing at the main site.

[childeric.livejournal.com]

The only young attractive female teacher at my school of 850 boys was called Jane Hoare.

[shaunotd.livejournal.com]

I was teribly upset last year when I failed to get a picture of the "Caution: Snatch Thieves Operating in This Area!" signs around the Hull campus before they disappeared... 8-(

[shaunotd.livejournal.com]

And now I can't spell 'terribly'!!!!

[ex-lark-asc.livejournal.com]

oh my god *falling off chair* that one's even better :)

[shaunotd.livejournal.com]

You tell that to the victims! 8-)

[valkyriekaren.livejournal.com]

I still laugh in Sainsbury's dairy aisle at the sign for "Lunchbox Cheese".

[shaunotd.livejournal.com]

Ew!

[ex-lark-asc.livejournal.com]

*splutter* *chortle*

Don't worry, so am I :)

[rdi.livejournal.com]

There's a (very good) bookstore in Montreal and Toronto called Nicholas Hoare. Naturally the staff collectively refer to themselves as "the Hoares".