Monthly Archives: May 2013

An Easter Egg In My Stocking!

Posted on May 20, 2013 by thebettereditor

It’s only Monday, but it’s going to be really hard to beat this entry for worst mixed metaphor of the week*: “It’s an Easter egg hunt, looking for eggs out there. And when you come up with something like this, … Continue reading →

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Is your stationery stationary, or is it out there being useful?

Posted on May 14, 2013 by thebettereditor

Is it stationary or stationery? Does it matter? Does anyone really notice? Well, yes: of course it does, and of course they do. Stationary (-ary) means not moving. Stationery (-ery) means writing paper and envelopes.

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Have you “seamlessly eliminated” your singing octopuses?

Posted on May 6, 2013 by thebettereditor

Here is a weird mixed phrase recently encountered while editing: “seamlessly eliminated“ It took only a few seconds of pondering to break it down: it’s a jammed-together construction created from “seamlessly integrated” and “completely eliminated.” Think of it visually and … Continue reading →

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Is that pond for ornamental carp or is it just shy? Koi pond vs coy pond.

Posted on May 2, 2013 by thebettereditor

Accidental (and accidentally amusing) usages crop up in the most unexpected places. Recently I read an article in a nature publication, and it referred to a “coy pond.” An acquaintance of mine is a big fan of koi and has … Continue reading →

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