Here’s another one from my work. Granted, it is in Spanish. But I’m pretty sure that “floor” in Spanish is “piso”, not “plso”.
The making of this mistake might be excusable, though, because the person who made this sign probably didn’t speak Spanish and therefore didn’t know better. But what about the poor Spanish speaker who doesn’t know how to read English? Is he going to know what’s wet? Will this caution sign do the trick?
Ok, I know, I know…I’m being picky. But I think this one’s funny!
BTW, what’s the consensus on the comma and period within the quotation marks? I thought they’re supposed to be on the outside, so long as what’s inside the quotes isn’t a complete thought or sentence, and that they should be on the inside if it is a complete thought or sentence.
I see it both ways, you know, and I see it both ways from professional writers, so I know I’m not the only one confused on this issue. I suppose I could just look it up, but I’m too lazy!
Posted by fillforsix on November 5, 2009 at 1:48 am
In my English minor days, we were encouraged to refer to Strunk and White and the MLA. Like you, however, I’m too lazy to open either one and will simply say – I was always taught to keep the punctuation on the inside of the quotation marks no matter what. That’s my vote!
Posted by binkybinky on November 7, 2009 at 8:07 am
Haha, great observation! And as for the punctuation… I always keep it in the inside, but then again as a writer, I am known for my “abuse” of punctuation – it drives my editor crazy ;p