# Worst spelling/language/grammar mistakes in published work

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-spelling-language-grammar-mistakes-in-published-work/645469>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [December 29, 2012, 8:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-spelling-language-grammar-mistakes-in-published-work/645469 "2012-12-29T08:28:37Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 5

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**Author:** ![Infovore](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/infovore/32/420_2.png) [@Infovore](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Infovore)\
**Post date:** [January 2, 2013, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-spelling-language-grammar-mistakes-in-published-work/645469/81 "2013-01-02T22:49:29Z")

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> [@Sister\_Vigilante](#):
>
> She even misspells one of the main characters’ names wrong at one point.

So does that mean she spelled it right? (ducks and runs :D)

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**Author:** ![Robb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a183cd/32.png) [@Robb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robb)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 5:02am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-spelling-language-grammar-mistakes-in-published-work/645469/82 "2013-01-03T05:02:43Z")

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> [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](#):
>
> Thing is, dictionaries are out-of-date very very quickly - they are by nature snapshots of a language, with all the ephemerality that implies. If you look and listen for it (or if it grates on you), you will notice more uses of “disinterested” as a synonym of “uninterested” than “impartial”. I notice, believe me.
> 
> Your cite links to a definition of “interested”, by the way.

It works out that the idea that uninterested and disinterested have distinct meanings is the [new idea](http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=511).

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**Author:** ![Floater](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/dc4da7/32.png) [@Floater](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Floater)\
**Post date:** [January 3, 2013, 10:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/worst-spelling-language-grammar-mistakes-in-published-work/645469/83 "2013-01-03T10:53:09Z")

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> [@freckafree](#):
>
> A memorable example of a “We’ll remember to remove our little joke before it goes to print” disaster is [this](http://www.thesmokinggun.com/documents/crime/drunk-joke-no-laughing-matter) one featuring comedian Richard Lewis.
> 
> > [@](#):
> >
> > The 52-year-old Lewis is particularly pissed since he has filmed public service spots about binge drinking on college campuses.

Are they aware what “pissed” means in British English?

> [@NitroPress](#):
>
> What a difference a J makes.

To make it even funnier, it’s the same word, derived from “fit” meaning a marshy meadow.

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