This billboard is all over northeast Ohio. Every single time I see it, it's like having a cat hair in my eye. It's painful and annoying. My eyes roll and I scream inwardly (most of the time; sometimes I do it aloud), "-ly! -ly! -ly! Adverbs! Adverbs! Ever hear of them?"
Please tell me that I'm not alone in noticing or caring about things like this.
It's a billboard! It's enormous. Come on! How did this happen?
Oh, yes, that would bug me, too! I'm sure I've said a casual "drive safe" to a friend, but in print, no. And not in billboard-size print, ugh!
ReplyDeleteccr--I'm not even sure I've said that. That's what decades of teaching writing, grammar, and literature to highschoolers does. It makes you hypervigilant about slipping up because they pounce on everything. And you want to always model correctness for them.
DeleteAnd a billboard out there to the masses should do the same.
You are an ELA champ and I love it. You crack me up. Have you written your DMV or your congressman about this billboard? I'd love it if you did.
ReplyDeleteErnie--Sigh. You laugh at my pain.
DeleteI haven't, because I am afraid of Tim Misny. He'll make me pay.
'cus no one cares any moore abut spelln, grammer, puntuashun, kapitilizatun, OR proof reading.
ReplyDeleteDee--When did this happen? I mean, it's obviously true, but who/what gets the blame? I want to at least focus my outrage.
DeleteOh yeah - everything Dee said. Also, I just hate billboards. Vermont does not allow them.
ReplyDeleteVera--Vermont has the right idea. A town adjacent to ours just put up an enormous PERMANENT billboard, electronic, and made entirely of bricks, like a Wiliamsburg-esque edifice. It's horrid.
DeleteWell, we have lots of signs that say "Drive Friendly: The Texas Way." I'm kinda stumped on this one because, despite the "-ly" ending, I consider "friendly" to be an adjective. That said, no one is ever going to say "Drive friendily" --- or whatever. Texans usually drive "friendly" off the freeway, but when they are on the freeway, there are far too many speed demons. They scare the hell out of me. "Speed limit 70" = More like 90+ mph. They show their impatience with people driving the speed limit by weaving in and out of lanes with almost no distance between cars. I do my best to stay out of their way, but it's really annoying (and scary) when I stay out of the far left lane on purpose, and these jerks still need to show their annoyance at us 'slow-pokes' by zipping in front of drivers, regardless of the lane. *sigh* Somebody needs to come up with a sign that says "Drive SAFELY, you jerk, before you kill somebody."
ReplyDeleteOrtizzle--Ooooh, that just grates in my ears. Friendly is indeed an adjective. You just can't make it an adverb because you want it to be one, Texas DOT, and saying it with an awshucks accent doesn't make it okay, either.
DeleteOhio's speed limit on freeways is 70mph as well, but like the Pirate Code, it's more of a Suggestion. Ohio (aka Texas-on-Erie) seems to be using your state as a model more and more.
You know I'd be screaming loudly too every time I saw this sign. Honestly...
ReplyDeleteAlly--Thank you. I feel so supported right now.
DeleteDriving through Chicago, there are a million giant billboards with a Chicago Bears player advertising a process to help with hair loss and something about I Hate Steven Singer. I have never seen so many of the same signs anywhere.
ReplyDeleteSo, let's dive deep into YOUR billboard, though. Wouldn't the distraction of looking at this billboard mean you're driving less safely? Who is Tim Misny anyway? Is he locally famous?
NGS--I linked to Tim Misny in the photo's caption. Here it is again for you. But, yes, he's locally famous for his ads and slogan "I'll make them pay."
DeleteAnd absolutely the poor grammar/usage on his ubiquitous billboards are making me drive less safely. They induce road rage.
Of course I would also be screaming the same thing. If only one had the perpetrator and a red pen, eh?
ReplyDeleteMary--Or less of a fussy sense of Language Propriety. At this point I feel like that might make me happier. ;-)
DeleteNo. Language Propriety forever. It makes one feel so superior, deah.
DeleteClearly they need a little Schoolhouse Rock!
ReplyDeletehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=14fXm4FOMPM
J--I always loved Schoolhouse Rock. I'd say Bring It Back, but where would it run and reach everyone like the old version did? That one ran during Saturday morning cartoons when most kids were watching at least one or two of their favourite shows. TV is so fragmented now.
DeleteLolly Lolly Lolly, Get Your Adverbs Here! So smart. They even sang about and explained Intensifiers. Those were the days, sigh.
It's bothersome, but I had a good chuckle knowing how much if bothers you. Sorry, I can't help it.
ReplyDeleteJust remember, drive safe.
BB Suz--No, you didn't! I thought we were buddies. :-(
Delete