I often pass this sign, but I never go inside. Does that make me a snob?
I’m aware of the value of sometimes tweaking the rules. That a market stall sign declaring Fresh Melon’s may attract attention and business, precisely because of its grammatical inaccuracy.
I’ve occasionally employed the deliberate mistake tactic myself. When a radio phone-in is slow to attract calls, letting a listener email or text message with a glaring error slip through on air usually opens the floodgates and it’s plain sailing from then on. (Just time for a quick chin scratch. Should I be telling you that? Probably not. Too late. Never mind.)
But despite all that. Despite the possibility that something delicious might lie behind the steamed up windows of the establishment to which that sign belongs. Despite my usual and natural tendency to poke my nose into any random curiosity. Despite all that – I can’t bring myself to buy my daley bread from that deli.
Does that make me a snob?
NB – UPDATE –You really must read the the follow-up to this story here – but don’t click on the link until after you’ve looked at the comments below. That way you’ll appreciate the follow-up all the more. Dammit.
Whenever I see sign’s like that, they stop me in my tracks. I know something isn’t quite right about them, but I can’t move along any further until I know how it should look. And I really shouldn’t have added that extra apostrophe! 😀
Its much appreciated.
No.
It just means that Daley is a crap baker.
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Good at running, jumping and throwing though.
Please go easy on poor old Arthur, he has given up selling dodgy cars and started a bakery. Everyone deserves a second chance.
So that’s where he disappeared to. Hope he has someone to mind the shop while he’s off feeding the oven.
You will definitely enjoy: Eats, Shoots & Leaves by Lynn Truss
I did.
Don’t always agree with her, though.
And, they’re all over the place here too.
This from way back:
http://photopol.com/signs/foleys.html
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That’s Daley’s Irish cousin.
No, it doesn’t make you a snob. What it makes you (possibly) is missing out on a fantastic piece of bread, the pork and apple sauce. That baker of daley bread needs a proof reader, friends, not a smart arse like you. Does he expect you to bake bread, does he read your prose and sneer? Who knows.
Paul, you have unleashed the beast in me. Lynn Truss has nothing on me. I was once married to a man who joined Keith Waterhouse in a fight most worthy.
Look no further than Tesco. With little one in tow – and to both set an example and satisfy my dissatisfaction – I pointed out the difference between “less” than 10 items and “fewer” than 10 items. This fell on the store manager’s stony ground. As they say: Every little helps.
U
I knew I was asking for it.
But my arse graciously accepts the compliment.
I’m with you on the express checkout though. The fewer said about less, the better.
No wait a moment…
Ach dammit.
Tesco are positively illiterate:
http://photopol.com/signs/mens.html
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That one really did make me laugh Póló.
Tesco are also into less in a big way:
http://photopol.com/signs/tesco_less.html
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With our compliments and do have another one for the road:
http://photopol.com/signs/free.html
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Even our local Supervalu franchise is not immune:
http://photopol.com/raheny/ads.html
Ite missa est. And so ends my chapter on exceptable English 🙂
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That last one had my head hurting.
I kindly tell them in a gentle voice; it’s like spinach on your teeth thing; wouldn’t you want to know?
I suppose I might discover whether or not it’s deliberate. Then again, I might also discover the boot of the proprietor up my backside as I exit faster than I entered.
Something for me to consider anyway.
Maybe, just maybe, the bread is baked by a Mr. or Mrs. Daley and it’s their play on words 🙂
Eek – I never thought of that.
I’m going to have to investigate now.
Perhaps they also sell humble pie?
This could be very embarrassing.
Well for goodness sakes, please report back once you know.
No pressure then.
(Gulp.)
You crack me up!
What matters more to me is if they can bake…though, there are some misspelled signage that can keep me from entering, such as this one:
So does that mean wear them or discard them?
Will I be teased if I wear one?
lol, Just means…I REALLY expect them necessary to enter…
“Really” appreciate if you would drop by and hit “Like” on my “Weekly Photo Image” entry…you don’t “REALLY” have to like it…just trying to get 100 likes before I move on to something else, and things seemed to have stopped at 85…
Appreciate it…
This missplleing is a great bit of advretising, its got all of you talking and would it catch your eye if it was correctly seplt.
I think they catch my eye first and then I notice the misspelling.
I don’t think any, bar maybe 1%, is on purpose. It is just a sign of the three Rs gone out the window.
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Probably right but if it were on purpose I think they just hit the marketing jackpot
True, but that also implies that the bulk of viewers will notice the difference.
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You know, you would think Paul would be accustomed to it by now, Andy, living here in the south and all…Ah-eee
It doesn’t make you a snob, Paul … just a cautious individual. If it were me though, I would be in there tryin’ out the bread, would have to know.
Blessings – Maxi
I wish you hadn’t said that…
No, it makes you discerning…
You’re very kind.
(You may have detected that a sheepish note has crept into my responses.)
Okay, let’s be frank and say Yes! Why forgo the chance of the best bread you’ve ever tasted just because someone went to a crap school and can’t spell properly! Shaim on you!
Don’t worry – the shame is imminent.
The story is not yet over.
Good to know I’m not the only one who feels this way.
Not sure whether you’re agreeing with Nick or with my original post. Here’s a hint – the smart money is on Nick.
Ummm…I was agreeing with you…although I see Nick’s point of view. Maybe I’m just to snobby to actually come over to his side. Give me time. =)
Then again, Paul, even if it weren’t a clever advert. play on words/names to attract customers, not so many moons ago, in France, the average age for an apprentice Chef to start working the kitchens was around 12 years old…we can’t expect them to cook AND spell can we? No wait…French Chef…Not a good example…anyway.,. was a thought…
12? Blimey. And that’s an average – so loads are even younger. Soudns like Children of the Corn – except in a kitchen – cleavers at the ready.
He’s short daily of business, and so kneads the dough.
Especially if his wife has a bun in the oven.
Or a current affair.
That really would be the icing on the cake.