Thread: Spell it Right

Originally Posted by Obie

I insist on good grammar and punctuation for myself. Whether a line or a long essay, I try to be as correct in my grammar and punctuation as is within my range.

I had struggled with the correct spelling of eBay, having spelled it (or misspelled it) more ways than I can count. Finally I decided to find the correct spelling for the word once and for all.

Henceforth, I will spell the word eBay with the "e" in the lowercase and the "B" in the upper case.

Regards,
Obie

My dear Sailor:

Thank you for your note. Of course, you make excellent points, and all well taken.

I must say, though, sometimes the threads on this learned forum have a tendency to detour in such directions that we lose the subject's focus.

As you notice, I have quoted my initial post in part to refocus on the original subject. My comments centered on my struggle to spell the word eBay the proper way. I also used the term "good grammar" instead of "proper grammar" intentionally, because in America the term "good grammar" is often used. I know one of the gentlemen made a critical reference to my using "good" instead of "proper." I let it pass, because it would have taken us on another detour. But back to the subject . . .

For some reason, even though I have seen it in the company's website and in other places, I ended up mangling the word eBay. I forget how many different ways I have spelled it in the past. I blame it on a mental block, probably because I am not all that fond of eBay.

I think it took seeing the word spelled correctly in the New York Times, which I read daily, that the spelling finally sank in. Of course, I could have shrugged at whether I spelled the word correctly or not, but spelling and proper grammar are important to me.

Whether they are to others on this learned forum is not the point. Nor is it my business on which to comment. By no means do I preach anywhere in my post about how my fellow SRP ladies and gentlemen speak or spell. Do as you please. Spell and speak as you will, for either way, you have my highest respect as a friend and colleague at SRP.

My post was personal, directed at me by tapping me on the shoulder and barking, "My good man, get it right." I thought I should share my thoughts with you. That was the only reason for the post.

Thank you for reading, and for your comments.

Regards,
Obie