Wednesday 6 August 2008
Think twice before "filling" your tank
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It's not just the astronomical oh-my-God-let's-get-hysterical-about-this-good-and-proper fuel prices that are vexing drivers on our petrol station forecourts at the moment. There is a far greater menace to be found in the form of these "unnecessary quotation marks" I discovered at a Texaco garage, just prior to emptying the contents of my wallet and handing over my car in order to meet the cost of this transaction.
Update: Some of those more skilled in identifying the lowest form of wit than I am have pointed out that I have been slightly hasty and, more crucially, incorrect in denouncing quotation mark use on this occasion. I hereby apologise to the petrol station employee who labelled the pump, even though they still sound like a right tosser.
Update: Some of those more skilled in identifying the lowest form of wit than I am have pointed out that I have been slightly hasty and, more crucially, incorrect in denouncing quotation mark use on this occasion. I hereby apologise to the petrol station employee who labelled the pump, even though they still sound like a right tosser.
posted by Paddy at 6:37 pm
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8 Comments:
One of my biggest pet peeves.
I think the quotation marks may be there for a reason. Does "moving" not refer to the excuse some people might use for trying to drive off without paying?
For example, "I was just moving it and was going to pay afterwards. Honest."
Yeah, I thought that as well. There is a hint of sarcasm.
That never even occurred to me. Is the suggestion here that a pedant has got so carried away with looking out for errors that he has performed some great irreconcilable grammar gaffe?
I'm not having it.
Giving petrol station attendants the benefit of the doubt is a dangerous precedent to set.
I think it refers to the "accidental" moving of cars; people are stealing petrol more and more often these days.
I'm so glad I don't drive. Petrol is soooo expensive.
I also read it as sarcasm from the gas station, so this one might actually be correct.
At least not the following:
Please pay your fuel before moving your "car".
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