Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-09-15

Perhaps not a one of those who so
thoughtlessly and happily reel OIL the
incorrect form would willingly use the
other. unless reminded of it by some
puriSt to whom the form Of language
Is everything and its happiness MOTH
ing.
The Society for the Reform of Gram
mar will now vote on the propoSltlon
whether its me-" as it stands, shall be
a preferred form?
The question is before the society.
Those in favor say AYE" those opposed
say No" The Ayes" have it, and it is
so ordered
Books of grammar will revise their
codes accordingly.
Pie next proposal which We are glad
to lay before YOU Is the place of the
phrase 1T amt"
AS will be seen from our reading OF
Sandburg, this form has an honorable
history. just why uneducated people
then. as now, had to distort words Is
question which We will consider at an
other time
They said CANT" for cannot That
form We Cannot quite stomach yet, but
its successor. amt" even though a
double negative, has aspects Of useful
| ness
Il amt gonna do it" is said million
! times every hour, at least, mostly by
the young and thoughtless
They use it because, not being blinded
by harsh rules of grammar, they find 1t
meets their needs most satisfactorily.
We move, therefore, that the form
Il amt be recognized. All in favor
land so Oh the Ayes" have it, and
it is so ordered.
! y ~
1T looks like rain" is the third form
knocking at the doors
II this were not used so many times
1 by so many people. in all walks OF life
OF all degrees OF orthodox and formal
education there might be some ques-
/ ton of 1t.
! Even its use in the farmer song, in
which he adjures his horse Napoleon 10
''grddap" would not necessarily give 1t
+ public sanction.
! Who gives it sanction, then?
! Why, the public itself, Of course!
/ We therefore take pleasure in asking
/ for its admittance as good English: and
/ IN the total absence of any voice to the
/ contrary, so declare IT,:
/ Books Of grammar will revise their
codes accordingly.
Mister. you better let them hornets
alone Is our next offering.
+ 1t is a pretty sentence, filled with
life, vim and yigor. to say nothing OF
its plain common sense.
! No one would protest II it were
phrased, Mister, you had better let
them alone"
! When the word hornets" is inserted
+ however, the very deuce is to pay
dramatically speaking, which is rather
absurd. since it is the same sentence
and the same them"
! without further argument we pro-
pose this form: those in favor say Ave =
those against say No: the Ayes
/ have ii. and Il is so ordered.
Our last offering today is Who did
you vote fore"
/ Press accounts of the meeting dcwn
South stated that the crowd. neckiing
/ the Governor OF Texas. yelled out
Whom did you vote for?"
We submit that not a man in that
crowd yelled Whom did you vote for?'
but that each one said Who did you
vote for?"
| II is more pleasing natural and
euphonious in every way, and We take
pleasure in proposing it. All, thank
| you The vote is so overwhelming in lis
| favor that we are glad.
What time OF IL that grammars are
going to have OF it, before We gel
| through with them
| The Society for Gramma teal Reform
stands adjourned until its next meeting