"Let’s Face It – English Is a Crazy Language" by Richard Lederer

Fun with English Words Image Copyright © 2013 Joan Y. Edwards

“Let’s Face It – English Is a Crazy Language” by Richard Lederer

Sandra Warren, Author of Arlie the Alligator, http://sandrawarrenwrites.blogspot.com/, sent me an email with this in it.  I had searched all of the sites had said author unknown. Today, I can tell you who wrote it thanks to Norma J. Hill for sharing who wrote them. I found an article that gives an excerpt from Condensed from “Crazy English” by Richard Lederer, Reader’s Digest, June 1990.  Here it is:
https://www.ling.upenn.edu/~beatrice/humor/english-lesson.html

Since I have this information now, I’ll have to revamp this post because of copyright laws. I’ll put the first paragraph and you give you the link above to go to at the end of it.
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Let’s face it – English is a crazy language.

Consider the syntax of one goose, 2 geese; one moose, 2 meese; one index, 2 indices!  If the plural of tooth is teeth, why isn’t the plural of booth, beeth?  And explain how someone who says he’s “going to stay,” go and stay at the same time?
If a vegetarian eats vegetables, what does a humanitarian eat?  If a teacher’s students can be taught, can a preacher’s congregation be praught?  Sometimes I think all the English speakers should be committed to an asylum for the verbally insane.
To read the rest of this, please click on the following link:
https://www.ling.upenn.edu/~beatrice/humor/english-lesson.html

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We all need a good laugh.  I posted this hoping to add a few giggles and laughs your way.
Thank you for being here.
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards
Copyright © 2013-2019 Joan Y. Edwards

 

17 thoughts on “"Let’s Face It – English Is a Crazy Language" by Richard Lederer”

    1. Dear Julia,
      Thanks for visiting and leaving a sweet note. I appreciate you for transcribing my chats at the Muse Online Writer’s Conference! It was fun interacting with you and the other participants. You’re welcome for the smile!
      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

  1. Hey Joan, remember me? You taught me how to pitch at the 2012 Catholic Writer’s Conference Online and lo, I landed a contract with Lea Schiraz at Museitup that week.  Well, I think you deserve a pat on the back at the very least.  I’d like to send you a copy of The Book of Helen in gratitude for your coaching.  Let me know what e-book format you prefer and I’ll email you a copy asap!  –Sherry Antonetti       Sherry Antonetti, author. Like me on Facebook at The Book of Helen http://www.sherryantonettiwrites.blogspot.com  www.catholicmom.com!

    1. Dear Sherry,
      It is so good to hear from you with such exciting news that your pitch worked, your manuscript was accepted, and now you are a published author. Hurray for Sherry Antonetti! You are welcome. It is an honor to be remembered for the how to write an effective pitch coaching I gave you during the 2012 Catholic Writers Conference Online. It’s great that the pitch got you in the door. Your quality manuscript and your pitch worked hand-in-hand to get you published.
      I have an application to read Kindle books on my iPad. That would be nice. I also have ways to read the other formats on my desktop computer. in case they are cheaper.
      Celebrate you. This is quite a great accomplishment.
      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

    1. Dear Widdershins,
      It’s good to hear from you. Thanks for writing. I hope you’re feeling better. I pray that you are. The English language like an interesting character in a book. It has all kinds of twists and turns to keep us, the readers, interested.
      You are right, Aliens will never be able to crack our code. Bwhahahaha! Bwhahahaha! Bwhahahaha!
      Celebrate you today.
      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

  2. Joan,
    Aren’t you glad you didn’t have to learn English as a second language? I had to give some of the sentences a double take to read them. Funny! Too bad you don’t know who to credit for this.

    1. Dear Linda,
      Thanks for writing. Jeepers! I hadn’t thought of it that way. Since you asked, “Yes. I am definitely glad that I didn’t have to learn English as a second language.”
      You are right, it is a shame that I don’t know who wrote these to give him/her credit.
      Celebrate you and all you do to help others.
      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

    1. Dear Susan,
      Thanks for writing. You are right. It is fun stuff. I love it when writing makes me laugh and laugh and laugh like this did.
      Celebrate you and your gift of writing
      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

    1. Dear Dianne,
      Thanks for writing. I’m glad it was pure fun for you! It was for me, too. Thanks for pinning it on Pinterest. The more people we give a laugh to, the more healing will be going on.
      Celebrate you,
      Never Give Up,
      Joan Y. Edwards

  3. I didn’t think to blog this but you did you Blogging Guru you! I’m glad it made you laugh and I’m glad that you enjoyed it. The definitions–multiple definitions–of the word “UP” really made me laugh. I’m glad you shared it on your awesome blog.

    1. Dear Sandra,
      Thanks for sharing “Let’s Face It – English Is a Crazy Language.”
      In searching the internet for the author(s), I found the UP passage in a book by British writer, Charlie Walker called “My Little Bits of Nonsense.” I have to get permission from him before I can post that one on my blog.
      It is great to be able to laugh at the problems with following the rules in English and the many definitions for the same word. I hope to be able to post the Up one soon.
      Thanks for the compliment you gave me by calling me the “Blogging Guru!” Celebrate you and your great sense of humor!
      I appreciate you very much.
      .

  4. Source of this poem:

    Condensed from “Crazy English” by Richard Lederer, Reader’s Digest, June 1990

    1. Dear Norma,
      Thanks for writing and sending this to me. I appreciate it very much. Since This is so, I’ll need to add that link. And just put the first paragraph or so and have people go to the link for copyright reasons. Thanks again.
      Celebrate you.
      Never Give Up
      Joan Y. Edwards

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