About the Book
"Things That Make Us (Sic)" is a humorous guide to grammar, punctuation, and other matters of language. It's a book people can turn to for answers to common questions of usage, spelling and style, but it's also hugely entertaining, with letters to high- profile language abusers, including David Hasselhoff, George W. Bush, and Adam Schein of Fox Sports, as well as a letter to- and a reply from-Her Majesty, the Queen of England. Brockenbrough has written a unique compendium combining letters, pop culture references, handy cheat sheets, rants and historical references. The entries include: grammar for pop stars and other celebrities; top 10 misused words (irregardless, anyone?); fighting jargon, and the annoying and ungrammatical people in your office; vizzinis, evil twins & vampires (words that really suck); common cliches and fat-free alternatives; and, all the spelling tips, hints, and rules that are fit to print.If you have ever elected not to buy a sandwich because of a misspelled menu, will hang up on people who insist on saying 'expresso,' or are tempted to correct your colleagues' correspondence, here is the book for you.
About the Author :
Martha Brockenbrough is the founder of SPOGG, the Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar, as well as a writer for Encarta.com and the former editor-in-chief of MSN.com. She is the author of "It Could Happen to You" and lives in Seattle with her family.
Review :
Do you ever feel badly or get nauseous? Things That Make Us [Sic] will cure you of those maladies and make you feel properly bad and nauseated about sloppy grammar, usage, and punctuation. It will also give you a generous dose of that best medicine: laughter. With winsome humor and humility, Martha Brockenbrough shows us how to choose language that is clear, precise, and unaffected. She also reminds us, inter alia, that 'irregardless is an irregular word, just as underwear is an irregular hat.'--Charles Harrington Elster, author of Verbal Advantage and What in the Word?
A smart, up-to-the-minute take on the world of words that's funny and sometimes even bawdy.--Bill Walsh, author of Lapsing Into a Comma and The Elephants of Style
Martha Brockenbrough is hilarious. "June Casagrande, author of Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies"
A smart, up-to-the-minute take on the world of words that's funny and sometimes even bawdy. Bill Walsh, author of Lapsing Into a Comma and The Elephants of Style
From her founding of the hilariously named SPOGG (Society for the Protection of Good Grammar) to her diligently penned correction letters, Martha Brockenbrough delights grammar mavens while inducing giggles. She's a tidal wave of grammar fun. "Mignon Fogarty, author of Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing"
Grammar mavens should rejoice at the appearance of this collection of nifty facts about language. I read it straight through in one sitting! "Grant Barrett, co-host of KPBS Radio's "A Way With Words" and author of The Official Dictionary of Unofficial English"
Do you ever feel badly or get nauseous? Things That Make Us [Sic] will cure you of those maladies and make you feel properly bad and nauseated about sloppy grammar, usage, and punctuation. It will also give you a generous dose of that best medicine: laughter. With winsome humor and humility, Martha Brockenbrough shows us how to choose language that is clear, precise, and unaffected. She also reminds us, inter alia, that 'irregardless is an irregular word, just as underwear is an irregular hat.' Charles Harrington Elster, author of Verbal Advantage and What in the Word?
'Grammar' and 'glamour' have the same derivation: an old Scottish word meaning 'sorcery.' So, good grammar is not merely a glamorous antidote to creeping meatballism, it has the power of the black arts behind it. Martha Brockenbrough is hip to these secrets. "Tom Robbins, author of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Villa Incongnito, and Skinny Legs and All""
"Martha Brockenbrough is hilarious."--June Casagrande, author of Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies
"A smart, up-to-the-minute take on the world of words that's funny and
sometimes even bawdy."-- Bill Walsh, author of Lapsing Into a Comma and The Elephants of Style"
"From her founding of the hilariously named SPOGG (Society for the Protection of Good Grammar) to her diligently penned correction letters, Martha Brockenbrough delights grammar mavens while inducing giggles. She's a tidal wave of grammar fun."--Mignon Fogarty, author of Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
"Grammar mavens should rejoice at the appearance of this collection of nifty facts about language. I read it straight through in one sitting!"--Grant Barrett, co-host of KPBS Radio's "A Way With Words" and author of The Official Dictionary of Unofficial English
"Do you ever feel badly or get nauseous? Things That Make Us [Sic] will cure you of those maladies and make you feel properly bad and nauseated about sloppy grammar, usage, and punctuation. It will also give you a generous dose of that best medicine: laughter. With winsome humor and humility, Martha Brockenbrough shows us how to choose language that is clear, precise, and unaffected. She also reminds us, inter alia, that 'irregardless is an irregular word, just as underwear is an irregular hat.'"
-- Charles Harrington Elster, author of Verbal Advantage and What in the Word?
"'Grammar' and 'glamour' have the same derivation: an old Scottish word meaning 'sorcery.' So, good grammar is not merely a glamorous antidote to creeping meatballism, it has the power of the black arts behind it. Martha Brockenbrough is hip to these secrets."-- Tom Robbins, author of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Villa Incongnito, and Skinny Legs and All
