Oh Henny! Have you ever tried to tell a joke without using a semicolon? For example: "Three ducks walk into a bar; which one pulls out its wallet?" The whole purpose of punctuation is relational. A semicolon says: Okay, listen to this, bucko; now that I've got your attention, I'm going to keep it. In case you were wondering, ducks don't carry wallets. For me, commas are confusing as hell, but I loves me a semicolon.
Kudos for sneaking in pictures of Harry Caray. I remember when he first came to Chicago to call White Sox games, and ten years later jumped across town to Wrigley Field, usurping Jack Brickhouse's longtime spot. When I worked for the Sun-Times back in the mid-90's we would have lunch at his place (in the bar - the restaurant itself was pretty pricey). Let me hear you!
I don’t even know if I consider semicolons fancy, just unnecessary. I used to use them all the time as a young adult with overly flowery writing, then started dating my (now) husband. He’d edit my college essays and would just basically say over and over - yeah this should be two sentence (child of teachers with perfect grammar) haha. I like when they’re used in poetry. Other writing, eh 🤷♀️
My wife speaks perfect English but doesn’t understand the point of semicolons. I use them constantly.
Also The Looming Tower miniseries was absolutely great. However my wife translated the title literally and thought it was about a very tall weaving loom.
That sounds like the plot of a bad horror movie….teenagers get stuck on the top floor of a Looming Tower building, at night with no electricity, with a murderer on the floors below. They slowly make their way down as he picks them off one by one. Maybe his weapon of choice is a stitching needle?
I never considered the semicolon fancy, BUT after reading this and thinking about it I realize that when I do use one I do feel a weird illicit thrill like "Am I even using this thing right? WHO WILL STOP ME! NO ONE ACTUALLY KNOWS AND EVEN AI WILL PROBABLY GET IT WRONG HA HA HA HA HA HA!" I was not invited to many boy-girl parties in middle school. On the subject of Old Fashioneds: Have you seen the movie Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World? I grew up knowing about the drink from its reference in that movie, but could never order one with a straight face. Fix yourself a mojito; it's a lovely and refreshing drink for this time of year. Watch Mad, Mad World and sleep soundly knowing they will never be able to reboot that comedy classic.
I read The Looming Tower ages ago, great book, had no idea it was turned into a series.
I used to use semicolons all the time. I mean like, ALL THE TIME. But now, as William W says, I switched to the em dash at one point. Definitely less fancy.
I do like my old-fashioneds, or just scotch (neat) and I don't mind a mojito provided it's at the right place (dive bar? hell no!). They're actually easy enough to make at home - funnily, I usually go through a mini-mojito phase for a week every summer, but this year I didn't, probably because I spent time in the UK where it barely reaches mojito weather and where it just feels wrong to drink at all. I stick to my beer and ales there.
OMG, Henny!!! I love this section on the semi-colon!!! I was an English major, so this part made me laugh right out loud. I also wrote about semi-colons for a bit in my memoir. I will send you a picture of it in a DM, since I can’t post pics here. It’s a funny (now) story. Check your inbox.
Oh Henny! Have you ever tried to tell a joke without using a semicolon? For example: "Three ducks walk into a bar; which one pulls out its wallet?" The whole purpose of punctuation is relational. A semicolon says: Okay, listen to this, bucko; now that I've got your attention, I'm going to keep it. In case you were wondering, ducks don't carry wallets. For me, commas are confusing as hell, but I loves me a semicolon.
Ha! I’ve actually found myself using them in recent months. I’m evolving I suppose 🤣
Kudos for sneaking in pictures of Harry Caray. I remember when he first came to Chicago to call White Sox games, and ten years later jumped across town to Wrigley Field, usurping Jack Brickhouse's longtime spot. When I worked for the Sun-Times back in the mid-90's we would have lunch at his place (in the bar - the restaurant itself was pretty pricey). Let me hear you!
Very cool. I don’t think I remember learning that you worked at that paper. What did you do there?
Yeah, I’ve worked for newspapers for over 35 years - in Finance roles. The Sun-Times was a great paper back then - now, I’m not so sure.
I don’t even know if I consider semicolons fancy, just unnecessary. I used to use them all the time as a young adult with overly flowery writing, then started dating my (now) husband. He’d edit my college essays and would just basically say over and over - yeah this should be two sentence (child of teachers with perfect grammar) haha. I like when they’re used in poetry. Other writing, eh 🤷♀️
What say you on the em dash?
Only when used fast, loosely, and probably incorrectly!
My wife speaks perfect English but doesn’t understand the point of semicolons. I use them constantly.
Also The Looming Tower miniseries was absolutely great. However my wife translated the title literally and thought it was about a very tall weaving loom.
And finally, congrats on 6k downloads!
Thanks!
That sounds like the plot of a bad horror movie….teenagers get stuck on the top floor of a Looming Tower building, at night with no electricity, with a murderer on the floors below. They slowly make their way down as he picks them off one by one. Maybe his weapon of choice is a stitching needle?
I never considered the semicolon fancy, BUT after reading this and thinking about it I realize that when I do use one I do feel a weird illicit thrill like "Am I even using this thing right? WHO WILL STOP ME! NO ONE ACTUALLY KNOWS AND EVEN AI WILL PROBABLY GET IT WRONG HA HA HA HA HA HA!" I was not invited to many boy-girl parties in middle school. On the subject of Old Fashioneds: Have you seen the movie Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World? I grew up knowing about the drink from its reference in that movie, but could never order one with a straight face. Fix yourself a mojito; it's a lovely and refreshing drink for this time of year. Watch Mad, Mad World and sleep soundly knowing they will never be able to reboot that comedy classic.
I’m with you. Semi-colons are a worthless, antiquated punctuation. Although they did inspire this:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M94ii6MVilw
Ox Nard. 👨🍳 💋
I never really got very into those guys but just about everything of their’s I’ve seen makes me laugh till I cry. Thanks for sharing!
I read The Looming Tower ages ago, great book, had no idea it was turned into a series.
I used to use semicolons all the time. I mean like, ALL THE TIME. But now, as William W says, I switched to the em dash at one point. Definitely less fancy.
I do like my old-fashioneds, or just scotch (neat) and I don't mind a mojito provided it's at the right place (dive bar? hell no!). They're actually easy enough to make at home - funnily, I usually go through a mini-mojito phase for a week every summer, but this year I didn't, probably because I spent time in the UK where it barely reaches mojito weather and where it just feels wrong to drink at all. I stick to my beer and ales there.
Yeah, mojito in the UK sounds wrong
Good band name though, “Mojito in the UK”
I really enjoy your thoughtful funny creative sections. They’re nuggets that stir Henny. And your images and memes add so much!
I mean this sincerely with gratitude rather than a faux feedback moment!
Thanks Danusia!!! Appreciate you letting me know 👍🏼
I’m impressed that you managed to fool your daughter. Not easy but developing that skill will serve you well.
She’s not an easy one to fool!
You are not wrong about unnecessary punctuation. I have gone nearly a year of writing an essay a week and have not once used a semicolon.
I think you’ve even got me beat.
If you can believe it, as I was proofreading this I found I’d used a semicolon 🤣. That sonofabitch got the axe!
OMG, Henny!!! I love this section on the semi-colon!!! I was an English major, so this part made me laugh right out loud. I also wrote about semi-colons for a bit in my memoir. I will send you a picture of it in a DM, since I can’t post pics here. It’s a funny (now) story. Check your inbox.
Will do! And thanks for the heads up. What with all the “chats” and such I don’t go there very often.
You can just switch to the emdash — those are great!!
Or this thing ±
Just discovered that.
Plus or minus. Very non-non committal.
I like the plus or minus!
I’ve read so much about the emdash and ChatGPT, and honestly never even knew what the F one was. Now I do! So, thanks for that 👍🏼
And I guess I should probably stop using them 🤷🏻♂️
Nah, use them. Every book I read has them, they've been around a lot longer than the robot.
Congrats on the 6000 downloads!
Thanks Moorea! You are one of our top listeners I think 👊🏼
👊🏼