What has happened to spelling? Sign painters, especially, should use a dictionary. A pictorial review type story is germinating in that part of my brain where stories grow.
Riding around the other day, I saw a sign at the entrance of a new development. The word “ridge” was spelled “rige.” Am I the only one who notices these things? Why hasn’t Andy Rooney or Brian Williams done a TV special on this? Could it be time for MSNBC to stop “investigating” crime and spin a story of spelling gone awry. Or a rye.
I’ve noticed a road “Colley Brook Road.” Perhaps this was intentional. Maybe a person’s name is Colley. I know most of the brooks in town and the one which comes closest in name is Calley Wright Brook, named for Calley Wright who was one of the first group of New Marbleheaders to receive a land grant here. He never came here, but his name lingers on. And yes, it was spelled “Calley”.
I have had a hard time for years explaining and spelling my last name. Well, even before I was married, the name Kelley was difficult for some. They always forgot the second “e.”
But when I got married and my last name became Whirlwind Soldier, you’d be amazed at the number of people who couldn’t spell either word, although they’re fairly common. It was something about putting them together. Some folks get a dazed look, ask if I’m kidding, or what kind of name is it (Sioux), and the explanation makes them forget all over again how to spell the name. Or what they even asked.
After decades of spelling “Soldier,” and now that I’m over 65 and can be forgiven as strange old ladies sometimes are, I always ask if they’ve seen any war news lately and heard or seen the word “soldier” – “Oh, that kind of soldier” – yes, dear, what other kind is there?
The other day I got something from Medicare which was addressed to Kath Whirl So. That gives you an idea of the close scrutiny being exercised at the federal level of government.
What bothers me most are the road signs, billboards and headlines which glare at me with their letters in the wrong place or missing.
Recently I saw the word dining, as in eating, with an extra “i” and again, with an extra “n.” Obviously, this person didn’t even use Spellcheck, the God of today’s writers.
Incorrectly spelled names make their way onto maps and as we all know, once published, words, no matter if they’re incorrect, become as law. And so, I think it’s time to launch an investigation. What is happening?
Tune in next week.
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