A Corrective Mug

There are few things that get commentators more exercised than the idea of language losing its structural integrity. To hear them on the subject of grammar, it would be justifiable to think that text speak was the bubonic plague of the 21st century, rather than merely a vowel-free zone predominantly occupied by teenagers. We think it’s a bit vulgar to stress out so vociferously, particularly as we’ve found the perfect passive-aggressive antidote to split infinitives, double negatives and misplaced apostrophes in the form of this marvellous mug Loved by AnOther’s social media and editorial assistant Daisy Woodward.

"This mug – the perfect passive-aggressive antidote to split infinitives, double negatives and misplaced apostrophes"

Grammar is the scaffolding upon which language is structured, and it is through its correct implementation that words and phrases are rendered beautiful. It derives from a Greek phrase that translates as the “art of letters”, and every language has their own unique form, with myriad variations determined by geography. Yet despite the fervent efforts of primary school teachers, grammar remains a nebulous concept, its rules constantly under attack from convenience and popular culture. And when Star Trek promised “to boldly go where no man has gone before” and Rhett Butler dismissed Scarlett O’Hara with the line “Frankly my dear, I don’t give a damn”, they demonstrated that badly wielded adverbs and split infinitives can be more beautiful than those that stay rigorously within the lines.

We’re big fans of words in general at AnOther as demonstrated by our #WordWeek celebrations earlier this year, but we aren’t keen on shouting down the grammatically inaccurate. So our love for this mug is the perfect compromise – never vocalising judgement, but ensuring everyone knows the position. So as we consider ordering a job lot for Christmas, Woodward discusses gherkins and her love for the language that needs no grammar – emoji.

Why did you choose to love this mug?
It made me smile and reminded me of my brilliant but incredibly pedantic father who studied English at Cambridge and whose grammar correcting was anything but silent. 

Where would you put it if you owned it?
My boyfriend just spent hours putting up a glass fronted cabinet in our kitchen that is currently woefully barren. So it would take pride of place in there.

What is your biggest grammatical bugbear?
Probably the misuse of less and fewer – even adverts frequently get this wrong. If you can measure it, it’s fewer. 

Where do you stand on emojis and why?
I would like to insert a series of emojis here in answer. I love them; sometimes pictures say it best.

What's your favourite line in a book/film?
So many to choose from! In terms of film, you can’t get better than Casablanca's one-liners. But these three lines from the end of Lucky Jim always make me laugh.  “… all his faces were designed to express rage or loathing. Now that something had happened which really deserved a face, he had none to celebrate it with. As a kind of token, he made his Sex Life in Ancient Rome face.”

What's your favourite word?
Gherkin. 

Who's your favourite word artist?
I like Tracey Emin’s words in neon lights and John Baldessari does some great experiments with words and images.

What are you looking forward to about December?
Christmas and all its trimmings. Especially as my five nieces and nephews are coming to our house this year.

What was the last thing you bought?
Two beautiful tea mugs by my best friend Harriet Slaughter, a very talented ceramicist. I’ve obviously got mugs on the mind!