OT rant: martial/marshal/Marshall

[KBCraig]

I'm not a grammar/spelling nazi. Really, I'm not! I don't even engage in gun pedantry like the clip/magazine debates.

But one thing that really irks me in times of crisis is the very common misuse/mis-spelling of martial/marshal/Marshall.

Martial: of or pertaining to military or war. See "martial arts", "martial music", "courts martial", etc.

Martial law: imposition of totalitarian military-style rule, even if official military units aren't involved. A mayor and his local PD, or a sheriff's posse, can certainly qualify.

Marshal: an elected or appointed LEO who isn't the sheriff; or, a Deputy United States Marshal.

Marshal: a verb meaning "to gather together", which relates directly to the title "parade marshal".

Marshall: a proper name unrelated to military matters.

So, please, folks: it's "martial law". "Marshal Law" would be appropriate if the actor named Jude was appointed to the USMS.

Thank you for your attention. We now return you to your regularly scheduled non-rant in progress.

Kevin

[Liberty]

I'm not a grammar/spelling nazi. Really, I'm not! I don't even engage in gun pedantry like the clip/magazine debates.

But one thing that really irks me in times of crisis is the very common misuse/mis-spelling of martial/marshal/Marshall.

Martial: of or pertaining to military or war. See "martial arts", "martial music", "courts martial", etc.

Martial law: imposition of totalitarian military-style rule, even if official military units aren't involved. A mayor and his local PD, or a sheriff's posse, can certainly qualify.

Marshal: an elected or appointed LEO who isn't the sheriff; or, a Deputy United States Marshal.

Marshal: a verb meaning "to gather together", which relates directly to the title "parade marshal".

Marshall: a proper name unrelated to military matters.

So, please, folks: it's "martial law". "Marshal Law" would be appropriate if the actor named Jude was appointed to the USMS.

Thank you for your attention. We now return you to your regularly scheduled non-rant in progress.

Kevin

I'm sorry I'm one of the guilty, my spell checker said it was OK.

Please understand my house had 4 feet of water and the Nazi won't let us in to at least open the doors to dry things out, that we've lost almost all our posessions. Spelling just didn't seem to important at the the time I was posting.

Sorry Kevin,
I'm in a foul mood and probably shouldn't be on net when feeling this way.

[longtooth]

I am sorry too because I have used the wrong one in my ignernce to.
We who kant spaell are able to read & know what folks mean & that works for us.
We dont know big words that we have to look up to know the meaning.
Pedantry - Had to look that one up. Pedantry - A trivial point of learning emphasized. (Websters new world Dictionary.)

I promise, promice to referr back here next time I post to a thread concerning martial law or Marshal Dillon.
But for some of us who really struggle w/ spelling, we make sure any formal writing is correct but in gun board conversation, spellen becomes somewhat pedantry in relation to getting the point across concerning personal defense or helps for us & others in need.

[KC5AV]

The LEO in my neck of the woods are Marshall law.

[KaiserB]

Speaking of spelling... if you download Google tool bar or IE7Pro... both have spell checkers. Also both are free tools, everyone that has trouble with spelling may want to check them out. I know it helps me quite a bit to have a spell checker.

Although neither of these tools will sort out the Marshal / Martial issue as both are words in the dictionary. At least no one has suggested we use the Marshall Plan to rebuild Galveston. :)

[longtooth]

Speaking of spelling... if you download Google tool bar or IE7Pro... both have spell checkers. Also both are free tools, everyone that has trouble with spelling may want to check them out. I know it helps me quite a bit to have a spell checker.


Many of us older folks who have trouble w/ spelling know that the above instruction means, "all you have to do is download a Google tool bar or IE7Pro" & you have it whooped then. Problem is we dont even know where to find that bar nor how to start downloading it.

I love your signature line. Good job.

Signing out of this one.
LT

[flintknapper]

Then... if someone REALLY mis-spelled, we could add "Marital" to the list.

All of us married folks know about "marital law" though!

[longtooth]

I really thought about that in the 1st post. I have done that too.
Couldnt help having to get back in after that one, Flint, but really am out now.

[KaiserB]

Then... if someone REALLY mis-spelled, we could add "Marital" to the list.

All of us married folks know about "marital law" though!

Marital law is a bad things... in some areas this law restricts people to purchasing less than two guns a year

[pedalman]

Uhh, spell checkers are great, but they don't check context. They don't know how to read your sentence, and properly deduce whether you meant to use "martial", "marshal", or "Marshall".

We still have to proofread and think.

[mr.72]

There used to be a commercial on KLBJ-AM in Austin for the Verbal Advantage program which said, "People judge you by the words you use". This is an important reason to be attentive to your spelling and grammar when posting online.

Your text, spelling, punctuation, vocabulary and grammar are the "face" that we see of your online persona. If you consistently misspell or misuse words, or lack correct grammar and punctuation, then it may give the impression that you are not educated or intelligent and may induce readers to discount the accuracy or intelligence of what you write. I had a coworker who was very sharp but had poor written communication skills (an engineer) and he was always afraid to send emails to large groups of people because he assumed they were going to misjudge his intelligence because of his poor written communication skills. Whether it is fair or not, he was right.

So while I am not a grammar or spelling nazi, I do think it is important to realize that one's spelling and grammar are a reflection of something about one's self. Maybe you are really stupid! Or maybe you are just careless. Maybe you are sloppy. Perhaps you do not value the quality of your communication. It could be some other reason. But the point is that if you are careful to write with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation, then you are less likely to be unfairly judged on an online forum.

From a face-to-face perspective, I am also very conscious of my appearance for the same reason. I used to be very overweight. I realized that many people (fairly or not) instinctively thought that since I was fat, I must be lazy, and I must not care about my health. Likewise if I wear ragged clothes or don't bother to check in with what is in fashion then it gives the impression that I am sloppy, or that I am out of touch with society. I don't want people to ignore what I have to say because they think I am lazy, sloppy, or out of touch, so I have made a deliberate effort to craft my personal appearance so that I appear my best.

In both cases it is a matter of putting your best foot forward. Correct spelling, grammar and punctuation are, in my opinion, the minimum standard for my written communication.

[bryang]

I agree, Mr. 72, however, I have always had a very hard time with spelling and grammar through out school, and like you said I was fearful of posting or writing emails.

That is one of the things that I enjoy so much about this forum is not having to fear getting chewed up and spit out over making spelling or grammar mistakes. I try hard not to, but some times it just comes out that way...sorry ya'll.

-geo

[KaiserB]

Speaking of spelling... if you download Google tool bar or IE7Pro... both have spell checkers. Also both are free tools, everyone that has trouble with spelling may want to check them out. I know it helps me quite a bit to have a spell checker.


Many of us older folks who have trouble w/ spelling know that the above instruction means, "all you have to do is download a Google tool bar or IE7Pro" & you have it whooped then. Problem is we dont even know where to find that bar nor how to start downloading it.

I love your signature line. Good job.

Signing out of this one.
LT

Google toolbar: http://toolbar.google.com/T5/intl/en/index.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[longtooth]

Got it & thanks.

[bryang]

Me too!! Thanks!

-geo