Things That Make Us (Sic): The Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar Takes on Madison Avenue, Hollywood, the White House, and the World
"Martha Brockenbrough is hilarious."--June Casagrande, author of Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies"A smart, up-to-the-minute take on the world of words that's funny andsometimes even bawdy."-- Bill Walsh, author of Lapsing Into a Comma and The Elephants of Style""From her founding of the hilariously named SPOGG (Society for the Protection of Good Grammar) to her diligently penned correction letters, Martha Brockenbrough delights grammar mavens while inducing giggles. She's a tidal wave of grammar fun."--Mignon Fogarty, author of Grammar Girl's Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing"Grammar mavens should rejoice at the appearance of this collection of nifty facts about language. I read it straight through in one sitting!"--Grant Barrett, co-host of KPBS Radio's "A Way With Words" and author of The Official Dictionary of Unofficial English"Do you ever feel badly or get nauseous? Things That Make Us [Sic] will cure you of those maladies and make you feel properly bad and nauseated about sloppy grammar, usage, and punctuation. It will also give you a generous dose of that best medicine: laughter. With winsome humor and humility, Martha Brockenbrough shows us how to choose language that is clear, precise, and unaffected. She also reminds us, inter alia, that 'irregardless is an irregular word, just as underwear is an irregular hat.'"-- Charles Harrington Elster, author of Verbal Advantage and What in the Word?"'Grammar' and 'glamour' have the same derivation: an old Scottish word meaning 'sorcery.' So, good grammar is not merely a glamorous antidote to creeping meatballism, it has the power of the black arts behind it. Martha Brockenbrough is hip to these secrets."-- Tom Robbins, author of Even Cowgirls Get the Blues, Villa Incongnito, and Skinny Legs and All