Last weekend I attended the annual GRML conference in where else? St. Petersburg...the city of revolutions and radicals. While attending a particularly content-rich seminar on "Book Burning 101," I was affronted by the speakers' patently ridiculous usage of an affectation known as "upspeak."The speaker was academically credentialed from here to Harvard Square, and she sho nuff did know how to burn a book... but puh-lease, bitch, how could you expect an audience to give credence to your presentation when every sentence was posed as a highly tentative question beseeching approval?
Upon completion of this 90 minute oratorical nightmare, I was in need of a strong libation...really, when am I not in need of a strong libation? That said, acceptance of this perversion of our language cannot be borne by this old school radical militant librarian. My hairdresser, Lorraine feels it's her mission on earth to rid the world of "comb overs" one at a time; likewise, I intend to attack this linguistic epidemic like a momba whence next confronted with this "baby pooped her pants" style of speech.
If I had my druthers I'd post haste slap a stop pay on Miss Thang's substantial speaking honorarium...as an overtly bogus oxymoron, if not outright breach of contract. Go back to middle school little girl, and while you're at it, take your god damned Kindle and shove it up your well-toned ass.
Let the games begin...
Word Babs. I hate Kindle's...and if my administrative assistant speaks of her's one more time--I may shove it up her dimpled ass!
ReplyDeletehttp://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/caveman-logic/201010/the-uptalk-epidemic
Excellent article Madge. "My name is Babs? And I am a bitch?" NFW. "I am Babs, and without a doubt, I am a bitch!"
ReplyDeleteDanny was right--"upspeak" does seem to be Valley Girl speak? Interesting article, thanks for the link?
ReplyDeleteSorry I missed this? :P
ReplyDeleteTo beat a dead horse...
ReplyDelete"My name is Jonas Salk?
I have discovered an immunization against the scourge of polio?"
Grammarians, nip this epidemic in the bud. Resist, and draw out and challenge the perps.
If all else fails, refuse to converse with their ilk, as you too, may fall prey, without notice this is happening to you.
It's deceptive, almost Canadian, and therein lies it's socialist threat.
Uh, oh, Babs - should be "its" socialist threat. As long as we are being pure ...
ReplyDeleteYou gotta watch Kay! She was our grammar/spelling Nazi for The CLUE. :D
ReplyDeleteI show no mercy.
ReplyDeleteKeeping Klean with Kay.
ReplyDeleteYou're such a darn phony Babs. You want a Kindle so badly. She doth protest too much. Just get onto Amazon and buy the damn thing and stop torturing yourself.
ReplyDeleteOh no! Mame spilled the beans! :D
ReplyDeleteGirls, Babs is incapable of learning how to use another technological gadget that will be obsolete in less that 2 years. This weekend I learned how to Skype and I do believe I've reached the end of my techno tether.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that--you're not done yet. Get that Kindle! Even my doctor, who still has trouble accessing journal articles online, has a Kindle and loves it.
ReplyDeleteKay, Mame, and Claire...I shan't and won't be cajoled into purchasing a Kindle. For the following reasons:
ReplyDelete1. I am on a strict money diet, and I have been known to be a total sucker for technological gadgetry and wizardry. In order to get out of debt by the end of this annus horribilis, I will employ a bit of self discipline and resist.
2. I am opposed emotionally, professionally, and personally to such nonsense. Why not check out a book from your public library FOR FREE, and maybe keep a librarian employed??
That said, if one of you gals have already wrapped and purchased said Kindle for Babs for X mas, I would never ever insult you by refusing such a gift.