Please See To This
By Mitch Berg
To: All speakers of English
From: Mitch Berg, Self-Appointed Language Cop
Re: Regarding
Dear English Speakers/Writers,
It’s come to my attention that at least 90% of you use the word “apropos” as a synonym for “appropriate”. (Example: “I think it’s completely apropos for people to deputize themselves as Language Cops, with all the powers apropos to the job, including lethal force:).
It is not. It is a contraction of the French phrase “A Propos”, meaning, roughly, “with regard to…”. While it shares a linguistic root with the term “appropriate” (as well as “properly”, “property”, “appropriate”, “expropriate” and others), its usage is completely different.
While I do try to be tolerant, please be advised that further incorrect use of “apropos” in speech or writing might lead to you being smacked in the face with a sock full of nickels when you least expect it.
Please see to this.
That is all.
XOXO, MBerg
April 19th, 2011 at 11:16 am
Someone once said, forewarned is forearmed. So, thanks, Grand Poobah!
April 19th, 2011 at 11:24 am
Mitch, while you’re at it, would you mind educating Instapundit that “Hey Rube” doesn’t mean “You’re a bumpkin” but rather means “Help, I’m in a fight and need help!”
Grating.
.
April 19th, 2011 at 11:56 am
This post speaks volumes…
(Heh, I couldn’t resist)
April 19th, 2011 at 12:14 pm
Ok. Allow me to use this term in a sentence, just to make sure I have this usage correct:
When Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame committee met, apropos to Bruce Springsteen’s qualifications and talents for nomination, the committee laughed themselves silly due to the lack of both requisites.
April 19th, 2011 at 12:28 pm
Curses on my English teacher for teaching me how to use that wrongly!
And hold on to those nickels. I’m told that it costs more to make one than it is worth….melt ’em down for batteries for that car Roosh hates.
(as do I)
April 19th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
More rules in the news:
“Dodgeball, Red Rover, Wiffle Ball – those time-honored kids’ games, along with activities like Steal the Bacon and Capture the Flag – have been deemed dangerous by New York State as part of an effort to tighten regulations for summer camps.”
http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/42660497
April 19th, 2011 at 12:49 pm
Sorry MyGov, that would be “lack of prerequisites“. I will now return to grammar Nazi retirement.
April 19th, 2011 at 1:54 pm
Interesting tidbit, K-Rod, even if it was apropos nothing in the original post.
April 19th, 2011 at 2:02 pm
Thanks, NW, you’re right, it wasn’t off topic. 8)
April 19th, 2011 at 5:21 pm
“When Rock ‘n Roll Hall of Fame committee met, apropos to Bruce Springsteen’s qualifications and talents for nomination, the committee laughed themselves silly due to the lack of both requisites.”
Mitch must be busy, or having an off day. I would’ve expected a DeeGee-ish length smackdown for that….
April 19th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
Glad I’m in the 10% that’s not gonna get smacked in the face with with a sockful of nickels. Apropos of self-preservation.
April 20th, 2011 at 2:29 pm
Mitch has never said that Bruce was a great singer.
CF the post on White Castles above.
April 20th, 2011 at 7:19 pm
Hey Mitch – How about also sounding the alarm about the use of the word “individuals” (as in “We had five individuals break in to the Recall Dave Hansen office in Green Bay”). INDIVIDUAL is one, singular, uno numero. They are not individuals, nor are they “persons.” They are PEOPLE. The misuse of these words on television news is killing me.
April 20th, 2011 at 9:04 pm
[…] Shot in the Dark » Blog Archive » Please See To This Quote:"It’s come to my attention that at least 90% of you use the word “apropos” as a synonym for “appropriate”. (Example: “I think it’s completely apropos for people to deputize themselves as Language Cops, with all the powers apropos to the job, including lethal force:). […]
April 21st, 2011 at 8:31 am
This is a very apropos post.
Now, how big is the bag of nickels and can I keep it?