Spelling grumble
I have been reading an otherwise fine book by a well-known Australian author. This author has won a Miles Franklin Award. So the writer’s credentials are exceedingly good.
Except…
The author has used the term “tee-shirt” on several occasions during the book. I cannot let this go unmentioned because it annoys me every time I have to read it.
The casual shirt to which the author refers has nothing to do with playing golf. It is a T-shirt. When it is spread out flat it forms the shape of the letter ‘T’. I will accept ‘t-shirt’. I will not accept “tee-shirt”.
And recently I saw a TV advert for “100% cotton tees.” Now that is just dumb. A 100% cotton tee wouldn’t hold the weight of the golf ball.
Except…
The author has used the term “tee-shirt” on several occasions during the book. I cannot let this go unmentioned because it annoys me every time I have to read it.
The casual shirt to which the author refers has nothing to do with playing golf. It is a T-shirt. When it is spread out flat it forms the shape of the letter ‘T’. I will accept ‘t-shirt’. I will not accept “tee-shirt”.
And recently I saw a TV advert for “100% cotton tees.” Now that is just dumb. A 100% cotton tee wouldn’t hold the weight of the golf ball.
posted by Interface at 11:58 am
4 Comments:
Been thinking about it - is it possible that it's a Merkin spelling?
No, I checked. Although some US dictionaries say both spellings are acceptible. I disagree.
As my authority, I use the wisdom of Bill Walsh, editor at the Washington Post and author of Lapsing into a Comma.
http://www.theslot.com/teeball.html
I take this opportunity to remind you of a certain person we both know who applies an apostrophe to every single instance of the i-t-s letter combination regardless of its (it's!) application
:-)
And on some occasions...
its'
Post a Comment
<< Home