Sunday, January 16, 2022

Dogs dig holes

“‘It is confusing’: Dictionary takes dig at City of Toronto dog sign” (Toronto Sun).

Is the sign really that confusing? Listen up, Fido, while I hip you to these holes. I know you’ll dig them.

comments: 4

Slywy said...

It is bad grammar. Signs are too passive or passive voice in general, making them wordy and vague in the reluctance to lay blame. :) Somewhere I have a good example of one about bicycles. If your dog digs a hole, FILL IT IN. There. Direct.

Michael Leddy said...

I think your revision beats Merriam-Webster’s: “Owners must immediately fill holes their dogs dig.” The digging should precede the filling, I’d say, as in your version.

For directness, I’ve always liked “Don’t even THINK of parking here.”

Slywy said...

The owners of the B&B I go to in Ann Arbor have “PARK NOT HERE” signs.

Michael Leddy said...

They obviously know their audience.