As more and more information is released regarding Donald Trump, Jr.’s emails, the nation has burning questions. And the most pressing of these questions is obvious: Just what role DOES punctuation play in a case of potential treason?
As a teacher and grammarian, I felt I had to do my duty by rounding up a set of punctuation-related tweets regarding Jr., because they have absolutely made my day.
I’ll start with my favorite. This tweet from Joshua Malina (Host of one of my favorite podcasts, former West Wing player, and member of the cast of Scandal, a show I haven’t seen because it started airing after I turned 30 and I’m too old for anything new), is brilliant.
By setting off his name with commas, you are implying that he is your only son. Everything else about you is horrible too. https://t.co/wrzN39IsNT
— (((Joshua Malina))) (@JoshMalina) July 12, 2017
If you don’t know what he’s talking about, allow Grammar Girl to explain appositives.
Malina is known for his snark, and this is just one more example of how well it works for him. His concern for comma usage made me feel so warm and fuzzy!
While Malina dished out my favorite tweet of the week, what happened next was pretty fun, too, if you’re a total nerd. And you are, because you’re still reading.
Around noon on July 11, an epic twitter conversation began with this tweet from humorist and screenwriter Michael Colton, whom you might remember from VH1’s “Best Week Ever” and “I Love the 80s.” Or if you’re hipper than I am, you might know him from things that have happened since those things. Anyway. He’s still funny.
Unfortunate side effect of the scandal is this period-comma-apostrophe bullshit from the New Yorker. pic.twitter.com/ITijnSXOWn
— Michael Colton (@mikecolton) July 11, 2017
The New Yorker posted this tweet and accompanying article at 12:19 on July 12.
The reasoning for the punctuation of “Jr.,’s” is pretty straightforward. It’s a collision of conventions. https://t.co/nwRlCG8kWq
— The New Yorker (@NewYorker) July 12, 2017
Which New Yorker editor Michael Luo then hilariously retweets.
We explain that "period-comma-apostrophe bullshit" in our punctuation of Donald Trump, Jr.'s name. cc @mikecolton https://t.co/ReTISxX94l
— Michael Luo (@michaelluo) July 12, 2017
As well as editor Michael Agger:
The New Yorker copy department stands by its "apostrophe bullshit": https://t.co/wNnS8Yk64g
— Michael Agger (@magger) July 12, 2017
And the fun has been continuing throughout the afternoon:
It's never the crime itself; it's always the cöver-up. https://t.co/y4fSMFy6Dz
— Michael Colton (@mikecolton) July 12, 2017
https://twitter.com/mikecolton/status/885180573588766720
And the tweet even made the London Evening Standard print edition.
https://twitter.com/sk_downing/status/885225143961882624
Here. pic.twitter.com/Npp5sXwZop
— SK Downing (@sk_downing) July 12, 2017
To the .025% of readers who care about the same stuff I care about, you’re welcome 🙂