I was asked to write a small humorous article for a work news letter, nothing major or even paid.
But, I was thinking of doing the piece with misplaced modifiers.
"After taking a brisk walk and sitting down at the desk the computer's mail waiting indicator flashed..."
We all know my computer can't walk, but would a piece like that go over the heads of to many people?
Posted by Alye (Member # 5017) on :
Sorry for the double post. Delete one if you need.
Posted by Kathleen Dalton Woodbury (Member # 59) on :
There may be too many people who just understand what is meant and don't notice the grammar problem. If you could make it funny for those who wouldn't "get" that part of the humor, then those who would could enjoy your piece on both levels.
Posted by franc li (Member # 3850) on :
The funnier ones are not actually misplaced, but possibly ambiguous. "I saw Richard Nixon flying over the Grand Canyon".
With the sentence you mention, how do you bring it across that you are being funny? Most people will either not get it or assume you have poor grammar.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :
Reminds me of a bad insurance claim I once read.
quote: I saw a slow-moving old man, as he bounced off of my windshield...
and...
quote: M R Ducks R Not! R 2. C dem E-D-B-D wings.
Posted by hoptoad (Member # 2145) on :
yy u r yy u b i c u r yy 4 me!
Posted by hoptoad (Member # 2145) on :
I once heard two people on TV commentating on Lady Di and Prince Charles as the entered some function together after one of their many 'apart' phases.
Commentator 1: Here comes Prince Charles with Lady Diana wearing a dress that really shows off her legs.
Commentator 2: Yes, how nice to see them back together.
I could never figure out whether it was a gag or not.
Posted by Alye (Member # 5017) on :
Oh, that was just an example of a misplaced modifier. I haven’t even tried to write the piece yet.
Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :
I must relate my most favorite example. Real story, years ago my husband and I were watching a boxing match between Larry Holmes and someone else (I forget who--I shall call him Boxer X.) The announcer was the infamous Howard Cosell.
The boxers closed in and were hammering away at each other. They got so close that they butted heads. One boxer received a cut on his head from the encounter, and it started to bleed.
Howard Cosell: "...and Boxer X is bleeding from the butt....;"
We laughed so hard we missed the next several minutes of the fight.
Posted by InarticulateBabbler (Member # 4849) on :