(Untitled)

[aelphabawest]

Has modern life killed the semicolon?
When the Times of London reported in 1837 on two University of Paris law profs dueling with swords, the dispute wasn't over the fine points of the Napoleonic Code. It was over the point-virgule: the semicolon. "The one who contended that the passage in question ought to be concluded by a semicolon was wounded

Comments

[astaria51]

Wow, I would have never imagined it; I overuse the semicolon like a Georgian Englishman.

[aelphabawest]

I hate the semi colon. At the writing center, I told people that they usually had two options: memorize the rules to properly use the semicolon, or avoid using them entirely.

[astaria51]

Hee, that's a good point. I'm fond of it though.

Jen (Boyle) made a joke in our class about taking back the semicolon and starting a semicolon revolution in which the rules are all changed and we use semicolons everywhere. I can't remember what started it. I couldn't think of a good way of overusing them, though. I guess you could use semicolons like JKRowling's ellipses: Harry saw Snape walking down the hallway; that was just like Snape; walking down the hallway; with his greasy hair; and his stupid big nose; he hated Snape;;;he hated him with a fiery, fiery passion;;;;or so he told himself.

Her editors really should be shot. (In the knees. I'm not suggesting execution by grammar police. Just maiming.)

[lunamorgan]

Yes, but when you do know how to use them properly, they're wonderful. I do believe that I have rephrased sentences in order to use a semi colon simply because I love them. That said, I'm very odd.

[pianobreakdown]

A properly used semicolon is a thing of joy.

[synapse]

I totally love semicolons; however, it is distressing when they go missing and the code no longer works. :(