It’s another radio station in another city in the overwhelming and terrifying process known as a book tour. I’m a first-time author on a very controversial subject—grammar snobbery—just beginning to realize I’m in way over my head. The radio show host wants to know my thoughts on all those people out there who don’t even try to use or to learn proper grammar. | ChangeThis Save to disk HELP JZ Hide Show menus Beyond Snobbery Grammar Need Not Be Cruel to Be Cool By June Casagrande I No u I U I X I I Not using Adobe Acrobat Please go to http content reader NEXT ChangeThis It s another radio station in another city in the overwhelming and terrifying process known as a book tour. I m a first-time author on a very controversial subject-grammar snobbery-just beginning to realize I m in way over my head. The radio show host wants to know my thoughts on all those people out there who don t even try to use or to learn proper grammar. Everything about my host tells me that he is by nature a democratic and diplomatic kind of guy. But between the lines I think I catch the scent of something else the passion of the people who see my grammar column in their local newspapers and send me e-mails saying As a fellow grammar and usage Nazi . or Keep fighting against abuse of the language In my columns I don t fight abuse at all. I don t bemoan others crimes against English or wail about how it s going into the crapper. I m not a grammar or usage Nazi. I m not a snob a snoot or even a stickler. I m not fellow anything to them at all. Just because I write a column offering help to people who want to use better English doesn t mean that I would impose good grammar on others. Short of coughing and fanning the air in the presence of a cigarette smoker grammar provides the easiest way for an American to get off on and get away with looking down on others. I No I i I U I X I I 2 12 ChangeThis I m just giving information to the people who want it with nothing whatsoever to say about the people who don t. But grammar is exclusive with a capital exclude. It s like a secret handshake between a few who like to think of themselves as a select few. The first thing a person learns about grammar may be that cat is a noun but the second thing he learns is that this knowledge immediately elevates him above everyone who doesn t share
