Issue 134, page 3

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curmdgeon.GIF (1254 bytes) Curmudgeons' Corner

Guestmudgeon Sam Bankester asks that we allow he to complain

Why in the world is everyone so averse to using the word me in the genitive case? I want to crawl through the television when I hear news anchors, politicians, actors, and others saying things like, "My mom made Brenda and I the most delicious cake", or "the telegram was for Jack and I." Aaarrgghhh! It gets worse. Now I'm hearing various pronouns being misused in the same manner. The other day, my boss walked into my office and proclaimed, "I'm going to Vicki's for a minute, there's a party tonight in honor of she and I." Its like listening to fingernails scraping a chalk board! 

Anyway, just a little gripe. Thanks so much for giving I such enjoyment. Whoops, I mean "me".

It's hypercorrection, Sam.  So many mothers and teachers have said "It's 'Jim and I', not 'Jim and me'" that people assume it should be "I" all the time.

By the way, we (Barb and Malcolm) have always wondered exactly why fingernails on the chalkboard sounds so horrifying to most people.

Is there something you read or hear that sends you up the wall?

Do tell us. 

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