The English language is a real bitch, isn’t it?
Who hasn’t, at some time or other, made the mistake of putting the wrong vowel in a word, even when that vowel gives the word an entirely different meaning?
(This is the point in a classroom where I’d notice the deadpan stares of my students and frantically ask, “You know what a vowel is, right?”)
Retail workers with the arduous job of advertising on a whiteboard outside their boutique do not have the benefit of writer’s reference guides, I suspect.
But fortunately for you, reader, there are The Correctionists!
Stationary: adj, not moving or intending to be moved.
Stationery: n, writing paper, esp. with matching envelopes.
It’s an easy mistake to make, though I doubt this store is selling “stationary.” If one could bottle up stillness, I’d stock my cart and overdose my kids every afternoon.
I might have to buy some stationery, though. People just don’t appreciate letters anymore.
Have you been witness to a grammar, usage or punctuation problem that needs The Correctionists’ touch? Send your foibles to jana@anattitudeadjustment.com or amy@nevertruetales.com.
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
My local newsagent (stationars?) has one sign on one outside wall saying ‘We do stationery’ (hurrah!) and then another sign on the other outside wall saying, ‘We do stationary’. I’m very pleased for them that they can stand still as well as sell pens and paper, but I think a little consistency is needed.
Now see, it would drive me crazy to see that every day.
Love it. And even more to the point, I love your commentary on this one! Let’s bottle stillness indeed!
Amy @ Never-True Tales recently posted..The Sabrina Syndrome
I have to confess that these 2 words got me more than once and I always have to remember: Standing still is A-OK with me.
It’s the same with complement and compliment. For them, I have to remember I like to be flattered.
With the auto spelling on computers now, I KNOW for a fact my spelling has gotten worse and worse. So it’s nice to know the Correctionists are out there, keeping us safe.
Like subWOW, I have looked this one up more than once. Better safe than sorry is my motto where spelling and usage are concerned!
And sign me up for some bottled stillness if you end up locating any.
Kristen @ Motherese recently posted..Born to Run?
“If one could bottle up stillness, I’d stock my cart and overdose my kids every afternoon.” Oh, how that made me laugh. Great post! Complimentary/complementary is one pair that drives me crazy.
Kimberly recently posted..{this moment}
I bet they have that word written a hundred times on different packaging all over that store too. Sad. Just sad. I have two signs that I want to take a photo of and send off to you Correctionists to see if I’m being too picky….
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I doubt you’re being too picky. Send them over!
I’ll pla devil’s advocate. Maybe Stationary is simply a reference to the Post Cards, address books, and greeting cards which just are not selling. That is why they have marked them 50% off.
Then why the comma or period after the word, hmm? :)
Ha-ha-ha! See, the devil is in the details isn’t it? That’s why you are one of the Correctionists. And thank you for not knocking the fact I missed the ‘y’ in play.
Just found you through Motherese. I love this feature & look forward to reading more of your blog.
Stationery vs. stationary always bugs me, but it is especially irritating when a retailer uses the wrong spelling.
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