h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Entry: A Brief Review of American and British English- Grammar - A968024
Author: Jodan, Mining 42, Thingite, LCCM person, - U201497

This should probably be in writing workshop, but no one responds there. I'd most like it to be in Collaborative Writing Workshop, but I know it would get no response. Oh well

oh. Is this your new entry? Contrary to the title, it seems to be about Spelling.

am I missing something?

Oh you're right, it's spelling not grammar! Stupid Jodan

slaps himself

I gotta go for a bit. Crap goin' down

Alright... I'm gonna go check my mail then. I can be busy too...

Pretends he has a life

you misspelled tongue and enthusiasm in the footnote. was that for some witty purpose that I missed in my cursory read?

and you should mention programme.

(darn, I thought this entry was about grammar)

is tyre really longer than tire? (tire/tyre is actually an abreviation of attire, as in, what the wheel wears. and your right, it is of French origin. But then, most Modern English words are of French origin. But that's another discussion)

what do you mean "unnessecary" (sp.) letters? Do you mean unpronounced letters? Like like half of "knight" (english word)? or the "h"s in all those "w" words (where, when, why, what) or the "w"s in some of the "w" words (who)? (they're all English, too)

still want me to help?

all good stuff. Tongue is spelled tung as an example of what Noah Webster didn't get acheived, I think I'll fix enthusiasm, and I should mention programme. I'll do it in a little bit, I'm reading a great entry.

I forgot to put this number A964578 into the last entry on the other thread. I think I have to go have a great bowel shift now.

no, I mean you misspelled the correct spelling of "tongue", if you understand my meaning. You have tung, which you intend, but you have tonue, which I don't think you did intend.

I've read that before, and grammar is much harder than spelling...

we keep posting at the same time. did we just do it again?

I don't know, I just looked at your similar comment on Roswell. But it's always nice to see a just now.

Oh, I see, I'll fix tonue

okay, I'm going to stop simulposting for a minute. this is just too wierd.

I was going to say something...

as I mentioned on the other thread, I really gotta go for a bit. really.

Okay, I don't mind. I'll be here, where else am I going to go?

I think it's a great idea for an entry and I think you've done a fine job already. I have two more suggestions just of the top of my head. Consider, if you will:

a statement somewhere near the beginning that you are providing examples of differences, not an exhaustive list. Otherwise, this thread may be flooded with people offering "just one more example".

and

a brief discussion of the historical reasons for the multitude of silent letters in English words (I may have alluded to one of these reasons somewhere around here). English is not quirky simply because the English are quirky; there are historical reasons for the quirkiness of English (and perhaps of the English). Sometimes English is quirky because of English quirkiness (ask me about "lieutenant" some time), but not always.

sounds good, but I'll need to do it in about ten minutes

tick tock

do you mean you only have ten minutes in which to complete it (due to some sort of mysterious deadline)?
or do you mean you will have to wait for ten minutes (due to some unknown activity in which you are involved) before you can begin?