Grammar thing of the day: The Interrobang?!

The Interrobang is a thing that should really be used more often.

Word of the day: Effluvium.

ef·flu·vi·um (-flv-m)
n. pl. ef·flu·vi·a (-v-) or ef·flu·vi·ums
1. A usually invisible emanation or exhalation, as of vapor or gas.
2.
a. A byproduct or residue; waste.
b. The odorous fumes given off by waste or decaying matter.
3. An impalpable emanation; an aura.
[Latin, from effluere, to flow out; see effluent.]

From http://www.thefreedictionary.com/effluvium

Example: Herman Cain talked about "used food" at the Republican debate. I thought that "used food" was a euphemism for the effluvium that tends to emanate from Republican candidates' mouths most of the time.

An apostrophe is the difference between...

A business that knows its shit, and a business that knows it's shit.

(Link in post title).

8 words you're confusing with other words

Cracked.com is a surprisingly intelligent website with some really good articles. This is a funny one about commonly-confused words. It had me giggling a fair bit.

Save the Oxford Comma!

(Link in post title).

The Oxford Comma is an essential part of grammar - I use it in novels, short stories, and blog posts. Without it, you'd have mass confusion, chaos, disorder, and grammatical incoherence.

Language Nazi strikes.

Yes, I'm the language Nazi.

Two articles have pissed me off recently.

One: [Some American Idol dick] admits he's gay in an interview.

So is he gay outside of the interview?

Should be: "In an interview, [some American Idol dick] admits he's gay."

Two: "Lightning kills boy while fishing with Father."

Was the lightning fishing with the father, or was the kid?

Grr.