Words For Your Enjoyment: Misspelled Comments
December 9th, 2005
You’re sick of Holiday shopping.
You don’t have to explain to me how in the month of December, Friday means more than just a carefree weekend ahead. Instead, it means running to the store all weekend and having to deal with a population of idiots all fighting for deals on presents you’re not even buying for yourself.
Thank god you get to open a present like “Words For Your Enjoyment” today.
And it’s not just any ordinary present — this week is a Very Special Edition of WFYE in that the subject matter was suggested by not one but two WFYE readers and the subjects just happened to work hand-in-hand.
WFME comment brawler Kristine wrote “write something about your readers and their comments” while WFME’s own resident blog network entrepreneur Heather was on the same wavelength when she wrote “how do you feel about fixing typos in comments left on your blog?”
[insert cartoon-like special effects here]
WFYE Wonder Twin Powers Activate! Form of, a useless pail of water…a large reptilian mammal to carry that useless pail of water… And a post I would like to call:
Yes, I Will Fix The Misspelled Comment You Left.
Let’s face it. It’s great to get comments. Comments are the saving grace of blogging. They inspire writers to keep writing, they encourage people to keep sharing, they foster community and good will among all the commenters. Comments are the cornerstone of all happy-go-lucky positive-feeling smiley-faced blogs. Everyone loves leaving them!
But sometimes they contain (gasp!) spelling mistakes.
It seems that in the rush to be heard and in the rush to be seen, people are quickly taking the act of leaving a comment and turning it into a quick trip through the drive-thru at the fast food restaurant of their choosing. No longer do people take the time to craft and shape their comments with love. Today, a certain percentage of comment leavers take less time double-checking their work than ever before.
As the owner of WFME, that’s when the fear strikes me square in face — because no matter how well written my posts may be, if someone comes to the site and reads comments with spelling mistakes, doesn’t that reflect upon me? Don’t I now have to fix those mistakes like a 2nd grade teacher grading papers? Doesn’t it all reflect upon the community that is WFME?
No matter the answer, I find myself obsessed with cleaning up what others have left behind.
There are four distinct type of commenters. There are the ones who obsess over their comments, making sure everything is perfect before they click on the send button. There are the ones who comment so fast (who are obviously going from one site to another commenting as quickly as their little fingers will take them) that words are often split in the wrong places (i.e. “I totall yagre ewit hyou!” And there are the ones who fully submit comments that are grammatically incorrect and are rife with spelling mistakes (“hahaha, I don’t thought tha twas eVEn posible!!”) and they just don’t care.
But the fourth type of commenter? The ones who misspell their comment, submit it, then e-mail you to ask you to fix it for them because they don’t want to look bad.
Yes, I will fix the misspelled comment that you left for a variety of reasons.
I will fix it because I like you. I will fix it because I care. I will fix it because, in the long run, if you leave a spelling mistake in my comments section and then someone in Sweden (who also can’t spell) searches for a particular word like parachoot and you’ve left a comment on my post “I Am Afraid Of Your Parachute” with the same misspelled word… Mr. Mispeller in Sweden will find your comment in my blog through Google all because the two of you don’t know how to spell the word Parachute (not Parachoot) — and then this Swedish person becomes a new fan of the blog and they can’t spell either…
Do you see where I’m going?
Before long, all the people in the world who can’t spell, who are searching for things on-line by using those misspelled words…if they find your misspelled words in my comments… Before long the community grows in leaps and bounds, filled with people who all think that the word “pastures” is spelled “pastoures” — the intelligence of the whole community quickly drops into the gutter.
It’s like digital Darwinism. Either the strong commenters will develop a whole community of like-minded commenters… Or the disease of spelling mistakes will kill our entire herd.
Do you want to kill our entire herd?
But think about this: If every single comment on this blog is spelled correctly, gramatically correct and exhibits an intelligence that is both impressive, endearing and socially significant…that is just the type of readers that will continue to be drawn to this site. If every single comment is humorous, thoughtful, and perfect…? So too will be the community. Our herd will be strong! Our herd will be unbeatable. Our herd will have a fruitful season and get to eat lots of meat!
See how perfect the world could be if we all just worked together to make this a reality?
But don’t fret. For even if your comments are filled with mistakes and spacing errors and grammar problems… Even if your comments are confusing or filled with URLs that are broken and lead nowhere… Even if your words are disjointed and disconnected…
I will fix the misspelled comments you left, and we’ll all be better off because of it.
I think that is a great idea. In fact, it cuts down on those comments that follow the comment with the misspelled word. You know, the ones that go: Ooops! I’m such a dork. I can’t spell. What I meant to say was…
Brilliant Pauly!
Comment by Hilary — December 9, 2005 @ 8:23 am
Hilary - I hear you. Tomorrow’s post was going to be called “I Will Fix Your Misspelled Comment, The Comment You Left After The One With Your Misspelled Comment In Which You Say ‘Ooops, Can You Fix My Previous Comment’, And The Three Other Comments You Left Apologizing After The First Three Comments”, but maybe I don’t have to do that now that you’ve chimed in with your thoughts on this.
Comment by Pauly D — December 9, 2005 @ 8:28 am
I always try to proofread my comments because I don’t want to look like an idiot in front of my beloved Pauly. But sometimes the typos slip through, and I usually just have to try and curb the intense OCD that follows, as I don’t like to be the double commenter. Don’t get me wrong, I will be, but only if the mistake totally changes the context of the sentence I wrote.
I will now re-read this about 84 more times because now I’m paranoid that I spelled something wrong or forgot a word but my brain can’t recognize it.
Comment by Amber — December 9, 2005 @ 8:32 am
Cwould youyou just totall ydelete thi s comment?
Comment by nic — December 9, 2005 @ 8:46 am
Normally, I would. But today I won’t.
Let’s just hope no one is searching for “Cwould” or “youyou” today on Google.
Comment by Pauly D — December 9, 2005 @ 8:51 am
I worry (sometimes late at night) that my comment was not worthy.
And then, I realize … Hey! At least I spelt everything right.
Comment by nic — December 9, 2005 @ 8:53 am
turning comments off on [dc] was hella smart, if i do say so myself. i don’t even have to deal with this anymore.
Comment by heather — December 9, 2005 @ 9:19 am
You’re way too nice, Pauly, since there are some who would just leave the comments misspelled in order to show the world how there are some idiots out there who can’t just spell.
Yes, if I were sheriff, I’d be the one making the stupid criminals parade up and down Main Street with a placard proclaiming to all what they’ve done wrong saying something like “I tried to rob a house, and all I got out of it was this stupid placard and a new boyfriend named Bubba” or something.
Comment by Keith — December 9, 2005 @ 9:25 am
Uh-oh… I’m Swedish (albeit expat since many years back, but still!) AND I commented on my own screwed up comment two days ago.
Comment by the swede — December 9, 2005 @ 9:25 am
That’s cool and all, but I think Pauly digs his “commenting community of intelligent and witty commenters”. Between you and me, and this is pretty confidential, enough to the point where if there was an option to make comments stealth I would, but I think Paul Davidson actually feeds off his comments.
Extending that thought further, much like the monster world in Monster, Inc. was powered by children’s fears, I think Words For My Enjoyment and more specifically Paul himself are energized by comments. It’s just my theory but I’m sticking to it.
Comment by kartooner — December 9, 2005 @ 9:27 am
I will continue to make misspellings. I will continue to correct myself in another comment if I think it’s worthy. I will not ask you to correct my mistakes. My comments are will stay authentic. flaws and all.
What comes after this Pauly?
“Um, Pauly, I made a mistake in my comment, but can you tweak it a little bit?”
“Um, Pauly can you make up my comment cause I can’t think of anything?”
“Um, Pauly, can you write my blog for me?”
What then huh? What then?
Comment by Kathleen — December 9, 2005 @ 9:29 am
Pauly, can you do my chores?
Comment by the swede — December 9, 2005 @ 9:31 am
If I were to make a totally relevant and witty joke about Norwegians, but mistakenly screwed up the punchline, would you insert the correct punchline?
Comment by benny — December 9, 2005 @ 9:38 am
I only correct American jokes and limericks. I can’t be expected to handle foreign humor.
Comment by Pauly D — December 9, 2005 @ 9:39 am
Spelling is hard! This is America afterall.
Comment by monkeyinabox — December 9, 2005 @ 9:55 am
Sadly, I’m going to have to bow out of the community of commenters. You see, I have a rare spelling disorder that makes me completely incapable of spelling the word “neccessary”.
Errr…”necessary”.
“Neccesary?”
Aargh! I can’t handle all this pressure!
Comment by Katrina — December 9, 2005 @ 9:58 am
I think that I will start submitting all my work reports as comments here. I can then copy and paste the proof-read and spell-corrected version from your site, and no longer have to suffer the embarrassment of turning in reports with improper grammar or misspellings.
Personally, I am more offended when people mix up words like “they’re” and “their” than I am for a simple misspelling. I’m anal-retentive that way.
In a strictly grammatical sense, of course.
Comment by Dave2 — December 9, 2005 @ 10:07 am
Dave2 - Just don’t cut and paste Powerpoint presentations into the comments section. I think that’ll crash the entire Internet.
Comment by Pauly D — December 9, 2005 @ 10:10 am
I come here primarily to feel like I’m a part of a highly intellectual and outrageously witty band of commentators, but now I come to learn that perhaps you’ve been editing them all along? And did you edit me as well? Do I just think I’m intellectual and witty, when I’m really a dullard?
What does it really matter, I suppose, so long as coming to your site makes me feel like a pretty pretty princess.
Which it does.
Comment by jenny — December 9, 2005 @ 10:11 am
Power to the digital herd!
Comment by nic — December 9, 2005 @ 10:13 am
what? i saw my name and then forgot to read the rest. but i’m also a grammatical genius. aside from the capitalization thing.
Comment by kristine — December 9, 2005 @ 10:17 am
What if my comment is just dumb, will you make me witty? I like being witty, but am not always on top of my game. The game of wit that is.
Comment by Alissa — December 9, 2005 @ 10:45 am
erik: i’m 100% with you on that.
and that’s totally FINE. really.
Comment by heather — December 9, 2005 @ 10:49 am
i love this idea. while not intentional, my comments will contain errors from time to time. i’m from canada, i spell colour, colour, not color, and i drink pop, not soda.
andiHowever, I don’t know how to type with capitals when i leave comments, buts that’s more about me being lazy then anything else. i also just started that last sentence with an and, but you can fix that up when you turn this colourful comment into a witty comment. thanks:)Comment by better safe than sorry — December 9, 2005 @ 11:56 am
Better Safe - I fixed it as best I could.
Comment by Pauly D — December 9, 2005 @ 11:59 am
wait a minute! you said our herd could have a: “fruitful season and get to eat lot’s of meat”?
Ughh. That is such a disturbing image… I mean, what type of herd animals eat meat? Are you saying that we’d be like some kind of freakish cows that suddenly became orgiastic carnivores?
If that’s the price I’d have to pay for proper spelling and grammar, count me out buddy.
Comment by Star Effer — December 9, 2005 @ 4:14 pm
“orgiastic carnivores?” EWWWWW.
And I always correct the commenters spelling on my blog, sometimes I even correct my own spelling as well!
Comment by LisaBinDaCity — December 9, 2005 @ 4:29 pm
this post was about me…i just know it.
if it weren’t for pauly i’d be exposed for the fraud that i truly am. in fact i’m not entirely sure that pauly doesn’t write comments for me.
Comment by meme — December 9, 2005 @ 5:24 pm
YES, Lisa B in Da City, orgiastic carnivores. Who wants this? I sure as pitooty do NOT.
Comment by Star Effer — December 9, 2005 @ 5:50 pm
Well, I thougt that if I misspelled words on my site, “bloogers” would be all over it. Weird how the mistakes in the comments are noticed, but yet in the blog they are not…..weird. I might have to go look now…..but I luv people that misspell mistakes, “It only means you are human” GET OVER IT
M.
Love ya Paul keep up the laughs
Comment by Miss — December 9, 2005 @ 11:38 pm
I mispel in coments all da t ime…i’ll tri to B more carefull this thyme.
Comment by Dawn (webmiztris) — December 10, 2005 @ 8:19 am
but will you fix it if i say “cuz” instead of “because”?
digital Darwinism! hee hee.
Comment by ms. sizzle — December 10, 2005 @ 8:48 am
LMAO @ Star Effer!
Comment by LisaBinDaCity — December 10, 2005 @ 9:45 am
I’m a very concerned guy about spelling and Grammatic. I don’t think you’ll find me mispelling very often. Grammar is other thing… see, my mother-tongue is spanish. if I say I read and write english you couldn’t imagine how accurate this is… Since, I tell you… I don’t have idea of how I must sound in english.
Now, imagine how I feel about the Academy of the Language old farts… aproving the use of words like “Afer”… for “Affair”, and things like that. In other cases is the pronunciation. Now, they say is correct to say “gay” pronouncing “gaei” (read it in english, or in spanish “guey” or “guei”)… So now… language laws-abiding citizens who aren’t up-to-date with every shit those jerks decide to pass… and say, attempt to correct an error in spelling or pronunciation someone makes… can find themselves fooled by the correctee… brandishing the flyer, yes flyer… in which the new “laws” are published. It’s just sickening…
Comment by victor hugo — December 10, 2005 @ 10:43 am
Great! Does that mean you will go back and correct the ones that I left on the below listed dates?
Ah, heck! I’d have to hunt them down first. I don’t have the time. I am losing valuable holiday shopping time as I type this.
Comment by Robbie — December 10, 2005 @ 3:31 pm
I just KNOW I must have been one of the commenters you had to correct. I need spell-check, a dictionary, and a support team just to get me through a single sentence.
Comment by Rabbit — December 11, 2005 @ 10:00 am
but, what if i was trying to thin the herd? i mean, i know i misspelled that word, and you know i misspelled that word, but if some random internet searcher doesn’t know any better, then maybe our (intentional) misspellings create more of an advantage for the “stonger” in the herd. And this is a bad thing how?
Comment by jimi — December 11, 2005 @ 3:16 pm
I am going to lose sleep wondering if you had to go back and spell and grammar check any of my comments, I’m so A/R. Oh, that’s an abbreviation! Is that okay? Will abbreviations become unabbreviated? Inabbreviated? Nonabbreviated?
I feel like your blog is like the Irish Spring of the Internet now Pauly. So fresh…and so clean! And manly too!
Comment by Melina — December 11, 2005 @ 11:16 pm