Category: Spelling - Reading the Signs

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Parsnip

4/5/2024

To me, ‘par snip’ would be in the easier category of words to spell – two syllables, each a word in themselves. But what do I know. As our small person developed into a young person, ‘how do you spell…..’ was often heard. I do not recall it ever being followed by ‘parsnip’.

I do remember being surprised on occasions by some words asked. But I was also taken aback at words not asked. Proof that words that I had categorised as easier to spell were my categorisation: they were easier to me – not to everyone.

Tidying my photos into files and folders, I came across this photo from last year from the Narural Food Bakery in Blackrock village. ‘Parsnip’ obviously is on that variable category – dependant upon the ear of the beholder.

My recollection is that the soup was perfect for a winter’s lunchtime.

Please Return What You Stole

18/3/2024

Last August, I was on a road not-before travelled, the best type of road to feed the O.C.D. of sign-spotting, memorial-spotting, and finding things new. I turned off the N70 Ring of Kerry. I had passed Dooks Golf Club and was on my way towards Cromane when I spotted this sign.

My initial thoughts were as to the odds of the person returning the troughs having read the sign; and, whether spending money on the printing of the corriboard sign was a good investment.

These photos remained foldered away on my drive for thoughts and rambles that may turn into a blog at some stage.

On Saturday, I was chatting with Colm whose fishing routine has been interrupted in recent years by the theft overnight of outboard engines – such engines seemingly departing the country. This has had the consequence of less boatmen in the market to cater for the needs of fishermen.

Then later that day, I spotted the tweet from @CorkCoast with the hand written sign requesting return of stolen garden roller. These were enough relocate those photos from last August into the blogged folder.

The spelling issue was not necessary to justify inclusion in this blog – but it definitely helped….

As I drove off, another thought was whether ‘Cattle Nut Troughs’ or ‘Cattle Nuts Trough’ was the more appropriate.

Google did not think either appropriate: Cattle Feed Trough being their preferred description.

The Craft Of The Mason

8/8/2023

It has been a while since I blogged on the subject of the spelling of those involved in the construction trade, but there have been quite a few in the past.

Masonary was definitely a new variety for me when I spotted over the weekend.

As ever, one does not retain the services of a craftsman based upon their spelling or proof-reading…..

Carved In Stone

11/7/2023

St. Martins, Templemartin

My inclination would be to spell the name as JOHANNA. In 1811, maybe JOHANA was a variation in use. But JOHAXA just looks wrong.

Maybe that was her name.

Maybe it was a correction of a mirrored N – similar to Liscleary – but one would expect removal of the incorrect diagonal if that were the case.

If a correction was to be done, I would have expected IHS to have been transformed into HIS.

Slateing, Tileing & Fiberglass

3/8/2022

Once again, the construction trade step up to prove if one is engaging a builder, one does so for the skill with their hands – and not their spelling.

I would have thought that the memo of ‘Measure Twice, Cut Once’ would also have applied to proofreading but no….

When typing this blog, ‘Fiberglass’ did not get a red squiggly line, being American English. ‘Slateing’ and ‘Tileing’ did not escape.

Written in Stone

13/11/2021

A while back, I mentioned the carved correction on the headstone in Crosshaven.

I have spotted some more corrections – so have put them together.

Mind the Gap

5/1/2021

Cork - August 2020

There can be benefits of proof-reading.

It helps avoid confusion with a swell as well.

Roastery

4/1/2021

“Words are in dictionaries because they exist – they do not exist because they are in dictionaries” Máire Nic Mhaoláin

I have used the above quotation in more than a few previous blog posts when I have come across a word and wondered as to its use and origin.

‘Roastery’ is the latest word that appears to have a campaign for inclusion in a dictionary because it is in use.

Macmillan Dictionary, Chambers Dictionary and Merriam Webster Dictionary all do not have an entry for the word ‘Roastery’. Cambridge Dictionary and Collins Dictionary appears ahead of its rivals and advises that a ‘Roastery’ is a place where coffee beans are roasted.

Thuesday

21/5/2020

Tuesday or Thursday – or Both

This was spotted when out for our walk today – Thursday.

I will have to check on Tuesday next if the sign is on display again. Maybe there is an effort from the Marketing Dept. to create a new word to mean both days.

Religious Pizza

19/5/2020

It is not often that I get my religion in a Supermarket. I have never before spotted it in the frozen food section of a Centra.

A pizza made by the Fellows of God – and a reduced price on last Sunday.

Not Everything Is Concealed

27/8/2019

The entrance may very well be concealed.

The spelling issue is not as difficult to spot.

Many thanks to PF who snapped this on Sundays Well Road and forwarded a few weeks back.

There Is No ‘I’ in ‘Team’ – or in Clonakilty

13/7/2019

The old expression of management types came to mind when I spotted some temporary signs in Clonakilty today.

It may just be that there are no proof-readers in Clonakilty either …..

Collapse Imminent – Or Maybe Already Happened

9/7/2019

Very many thanks to KH for forwarding the photograph above which was taken at Barleycove, Co. Cork.

It may be that the collapse has already happened and one letter ‘l’ slipped away in the dune slide.

Or maybe it is just a proofreading issue.

'Gardner'

18/5/2019

Just as one does not, most likely, appoint a builder on his ability, or inability, to spell the word ‘extension’, it is probable that in appointing someone to look after one’s garden, one does not care how he spells his trade.

‘Gardner’ has yet to make it into the Chambers Dictionary but has recently made an appearance on the streets of Cork.

The Highest Standards – but not of Proofreading

16/9/2018

Canopies – with a Kinsale accent

I remember reading that it was the writer’s responsibility as to spelling. The sub-editor’s responsibility did not extend that far.

Last week, I showed a printer of commercial signs some of the errors that gave rise to blog pages hereabout. As well as smiles and even a laugh, I did receive a response that the proof is always sent to the customer to check.

Just like builders, dry cleaners and barbers, it is the skill of the seamstress or garment maker rather than their proofreading ability that concerns most…….