HowlersProofreading is a bit like being a goalie; no-one notices the mistakes you catch but the one that gets through is a big deal!In consolation, you can smile at the howlers and unintentional double meanings that other people come up with and feel smug if you stop them before publication. Here are a few I caught in time: "We have made good progress with our target for children killed and seriously injured on the county's roads." "We are working on teenage pregnancy, along with other bodies." "The committee will be chosen by means of a secret ballet." And then there are all those official signs that start with the words "In case of…" for example, "in case of fire, smash the glass." [Does that mean that, unless I smash the glass now, a fire might break out at any moment?] And finally, there was the advert that promised "hot mice pies" at a Christmas event. |