Grammar Vulture

Not.... a word!

2011-09-13T20:38:00.000-07:00

Spotted in an otherwise immaculate parking structure:

Mmm.... waffles!

2011-04-07T11:38:00.000-07:00

What follows Belgium waffles?

Germany potatoes, perhaps? France fries? Sweden meatballs?

You're In Incompetent Hands!

2011-01-02T20:44:00.000-08:00

This Allstate advertisement recently appeared at the bottom of an iPhone app:

Their representatives hopefully write insurance policies with greater care!

Yes, Virginia!

2011-01-02T08:23:00.000-08:00

This unfortunate apostrophe was recently spotted by keen-eyed family. Just imagine living through grade school years with the last name Jumbo - the horror!

Win, Lose, or Draw!

2010-11-21T18:24:00.001-08:00

(Dunkin Donuts Instructional Edition)

You're not even trying.

2010-11-21T18:11:00.000-08:00

A pine of matzaball? SRSLY?

Own that typo!

2010-11-21T17:52:00.000-08:00

This one has bothered me for a while, but I didn't have the opportunity to get a decent photo until today. I love that it's just a totally run-of-the-mill typo and they either haven't noticed or are proudly Palin-ing it into a new word.

Death Nuggets

2010-11-07T21:08:00.000-08:00

Ya know what sounds less than delicious? Fried nuggets of tar! The folks at Ore-Ida (holders of the tater tots trademark) would be none too pleased.

Thanks to Brian for spotting this and sending it in!

Dessert Directive

2010-10-12T16:06:00.000-07:00

Somewhere next to the "ice tea," no doubt.

Who is Oreo?

2010-10-11T06:19:00.000-07:00

And why is he so delicious?

Peddle To The Meddle

2010-09-26T06:45:00.000-07:00

Back To School

2010-09-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

We're wishing we were friends with this particular NYU student - he or she apparently enjoys exclusive discounts all around town!

64 Bleecker Street

2010-07-24T07:18:00.000-07:00

We must be on the outside of an inside joke here. Why else would you name your business after the (infamous) street on which it is located - up to and including its website - misspelled all the while?

For the record, www.bleeckerdigital.com is available; those would be $15 well spent!

Pet's Smart

2010-06-23T06:21:00.000-07:00

Helen snapped this apostrophe tragedy in Brooklyn:

One Gorgeous Nail

2010-05-13T07:19:00.001-07:00

Which nail, in particular, has been styled by Deca? It must represent the pinnacle of nail fashion, since you've arranged for a pricey neon sign and window stenciling in its honor!

This performance by the hilarious Anjelah Johnson will assist in the digestion of this posting.

Unhappy Meal

2010-04-06T07:02:00.000-07:00

Vulture Glenn pointed out the travesty in this office lunch calendar's leftmost column. Would you like some fries with your sadwich?

This Pavement Belongs To Taco!

2010-03-18T21:14:00.000-07:00

To be fair, the fish tacos at this establishment were scrumptious.

Your Balloon: Popped

2010-02-24T14:56:00.000-08:00

For how many summers have Coney Island visitors been subjected to this horrid sign?!

Less Than Beauty-ful

2010-02-12T20:00:00.000-08:00

Suburban Philadelphia is apparently suffering from an apostrophe shortage:

More Madder

2010-01-27T07:23:00.000-08:00

We spotted this heinous quotation as part of a full-page ad in the New York Times Magazine. Whether Aurelia C. from Texas is a real human or the product of a marketing professional's imagination, there is no excuse for "more happier"!

Please Come Out

2010-01-02T07:50:00.000-08:00

We're certain MTA attendants have a lot going on during their shifts. This one apparently only had time to throw some apostrophes in random places on the page!

Some-Kinda Tax Commercial

2009-12-31T19:43:00.000-08:00

So wrong.

Yowsa, Yoo-Hoo!

2009-12-23T08:08:00.000-08:00

By far the most expensive chocolate drink I've ever encountered!

Mussical Guestt

2009-11-21T17:25:00.000-08:00

Hey NBC! Dave Matthews has done a lot of terrble things to this world, but even he deserves to have his name spelled correctly.

Healths Condition

2009-11-17T15:04:00.000-08:00

Reading this sign may be hazardous to your healths - all of them!

Global Warming Update

2009-11-02T12:39:00.000-08:00

From sea to... frozen desert?

Asian's, Black's, and.....

2009-10-27T20:21:00.000-07:00

Hello, TV screen capture! Her boobs - pictured here in a striking lilac top - nearly managed to divert our eyes from the apostrophe catastrophe:

Now Hiring: Proofreaders

2009-09-22T23:10:00.001-07:00

Speechless.

Business Practices = Commendable

2009-08-16T23:38:00.000-07:00

Grammar and sentence structure = less so. (Click on the picture for detail.)

Is you [sic] indeed the largest manufacturers? We would also humbly suggest workplace instead of work place as well. Still, they're great shirts.

This Might Be A While

2009-08-08T10:44:00.000-07:00

Oh no! I was hoping to purchase baked goods today, not once the next sale season comes 'round!

Best Buy's New Bait And Switch Strategy:

2009-07-19T07:33:00.000-07:00

Let's put movies on sale that don't even exist!

Our tipster promises a daily inventory of the DVD aisles with updates as the story develops.

Eww.

2009-07-19T07:25:00.000-07:00

When LizyPo sent this find from Ben & Jerry's in Hoboken, all I wanted to know was what the hell a "smootie" was.

I encourage you NOT to look on Urban Dictionary for your answer. I honestly wish I hadn't.

White Guys Can't Spell

2009-06-25T20:51:00.001-07:00

Glenn directed us to this beauty. Apparently, Pat Buchanan recently hosted a Republicans-regaining-American-majority "conferenece," at which it was asserted that President Obama, for lack of declaring English the country's official language, would force Americans to speak Spanish.

Check out the full story here.

The laws of physics no longer apply.

2009-06-10T14:14:00.001-07:00

Our apologize.

I Have A Reservation

2009-05-29T14:57:00.000-07:00

What do you mean it's not in the computer?!

Oh, you spelled it wrong. Of course.

Computer Problemz

2009-05-27T22:55:00.000-07:00

Liza spotted this sign at an American Greetings store in Manhattan. Methinks their computers might not be the only problem!

Check The Humidity's

2009-04-24T23:35:00.000-07:00

This (thoughtfully laminated) sign, snapped at a fast food location, makes excellent use of the printed page: the number of blunders in little over one sentence of text is inspiring!

To the best of our knowledge, no corporation has trademarked Nacho Cheese or Breadstick Sauce, but both are reverently capitalized here. The needless indentation before "Please" is another favorite.

Why Ask Why!

2009-04-07T22:44:00.000-07:00

This punctuation mystery was captured by Rob at a Taco Bell drive-through...

...and confirmed by a visit to their website. Why ask a question? When you can simply yell at us!

Why Pay More! is a registered trademark of Taco Bell Corp. All images and trademarks reproduced here for illustrative purposes only.

We Heart Them

2009-04-02T21:15:00.000-07:00

This post is a 2-for-1 special, since proprietors apparently have all kinds of issues with their customers:

Brian snapped this one in Hollywood, where parking designated specifically for costumers isn't entirely out of the question...

This passive-aggressive mess was sent in by Steven. The inexplicable check marks are a particularly nice touch!

Do You Have A Questions

2009-03-22T18:02:00.001-07:00

Jesus has the answers.

As it turns out, He is no help when it comes to grammar or punctuation!

Attention Unnecessary Punctuation!

2009-01-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

We snapped this picture of a poster in the Las Vegas airport:

Which is being contested, exactly? The assertion that passersby are "Canadian," or "gamblers?" We'll be sending this one over to The "Blog" of "Unnecessary" Quotation Marks for sure!

Beware Shape-shifting Automobiles!

2009-01-19T12:47:00.000-08:00

This newsworthy tidbit was sent in by vulture Jason:

Memo To Lowe's Home Improvement

2008-12-07T23:32:00.000-08:00

Your competition in Burbank has thrown down the gauntlet:

Vulture Rob wonders what exactly Burbank is, in this case?

One's A Crowd!

2008-12-07T23:21:00.000-08:00

Downtown vulture Steven sent in this food service beauty:

A fantastic follow-up to this previous restaurant posting!

Diversity in Hollywood

2008-11-13T16:45:00.001-08:00

And the Oscar for Best Director goes to ... Dhhfjyd Oldjffytdl!!!!!

And did you see Meruty Tysudysd's costumes in this film? Exquisite!

A Heartbreaking Work Of Staggering Genuis

2008-11-13T16:36:00.000-08:00

Food Network brainiac Alton Brown is the new spokesman for Welch's. Their ad agency appears to have been drinking something other than grape juice:

The Happy Hour

2008-10-26T10:47:00.000-07:00

With only one business hour, we can't help but wonder how this Burbank eatery continues to pay its rent?

Starbucks Unveils New Frosty Treat

2008-10-22T12:13:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Hancock Park area vulture Derek, we have been alerted that a certain Seattle-based coffee chain is now apparently offering chilled, liquefied homosexuals at a bargain price!

Unhappy Ending

2008-09-21T12:33:00.000-07:00

Thanks to Jeff for snapping a photo of this gem at a new West Hollywood massage parlour:

Pasta By The Cart

2008-09-21T10:47:00.000-07:00

Vulture friend Rob pointed out this questionable menu heading at a tasty Burbank dive:

À la carte was probably the goal here. The idea of cart-loads of pasta, however, does seem like a bargain!

Politician's For Excessive Apostophe's

2008-08-31T10:18:00.000-07:00

Courtesy of Talking Points Memo by way of Brother Vulture:

Sadly (or thankfully), the mistake has since been corrected. To his credit, McCain may have been confused by his opponent's St. Patrick's Day shirt:

Ice Cream-In-Fashion

2008-08-30T17:46:00.000-07:00

French phrases are fun to appropriate, no? À la mode means either "fashionable" or "with ice cream" – both fabulous options as far as the Vultures are concerned. This display at a downtown Los Angeles greasy spoon gem, however, could use a re-print:

Guilty As Charg'd

2008-08-22T16:04:00.000-07:00

A Grammar Vulture tip of the hat to our favorite criminals of the moment, the Typo Eradication Advancement League (TEAL). Meet the League's helpless victim:

Traffic Jam

2008-07-30T09:56:00.000-07:00

A Hollywood parking lot could perhaps put its $20 fees to better use by paying for the missing letters and punctuation on their signage:

"Will be charge" is fairly painful, and we suppose including the apostrophe in "owner's expense" is out of the question!

Herzlich Willkommen bei der Mas-Jägermeister AG!

2008-06-21T16:52:00.000-07:00

Should you find yourself in Philadelphia and thirsty, be sure to stop by the Rolling Stone Grill & Bar and ask for a $5 "Jagar Bomb."

We have no idea what you'll be drinking, however, since the popular-with-jocks liqueur Jägermeister is correctly abbreviated "Jäger."

Wstern Cuisine

2008-06-11T22:18:00.000-07:00

Make no mistake: the Vultures enjoy good food! This salad's inspiration, however, remains a mystery.

Loose Thread

2008-06-09T12:04:00.000-07:00

We're currently accepting witty theories on why the other stripmall shopkeepers are tired of taking the blame for this seamstress's absent-mindedness. Discuss.

ABC News Has Sought Omit Words

2008-05-26T21:42:00.000-07:00

One Child Left Behind

2008-05-24T13:22:00.000-07:00

Yikes, Universal Studios. All adults are admitted for one kid's price? We're not on the board of directors for your failing theme parks, but that does seem to be a less than profitable business model. And who chooses the particular kid, anyway?

Added bonus: Universal Studios "Hollywood" isn't located in the Los Angeles neighborhood known as Hollywood at all. The park is in Universal City, CA.

Forever Sam Crow

2008-05-03T10:07:00.001-07:00

It's fairly common to find a "notice of filming" affixed to doors on otherwise unspectacular streets in Los Angeles. This notice, for an FX television show called "Sons of Anarchy" (but formerly known as "Forever Sam Crow"), showed up on our mailbox one afternoon:
Dear production assistants: you're going to want to spell the name of your production correctly! Also, while none of the Vultures makes his living in TV production, we're fairly certain that "1 generator" actually appearing in the scene would be a faux pas.

Lets Go To College

2008-04-17T07:44:00.000-07:00

As vulture LizyPo pointed out, this Penn State rallying cry is printed on approximately one billion t-shirts. We might have even let them slide for the missing comma, but the absent apostrophe is just unforgivable. Alumni, demand a refund.

Don't Pet The Shoes

2008-04-17T07:26:00.001-07:00

New York City vulture Cyndi sent in this signage catastrophe:

Remember this posting from 2007? Why do proprietors have such difficulty with this seemingly obvious list of restrictions? What exactly do you want me to do? Avoid petting my shoes? Refrain from putting sneakers on my dog?

Plying My Patience

2008-04-01T15:48:00.000-07:00

This is your second offense, Victory Celebration Center. Do try celebrating something other than your ignorance. There are, like, eighteen things wrong with this announcement.

Coupon Marathon?

2008-03-29T12:20:00.000-07:00

Poppa Vulture spotted this doozy at the local dry cleaner. I get the feeling that they're trying to be helpful, but who could tell?

Deez Nuts

2008-03-28T18:52:00.000-07:00

Obviously, we Vultures hold accurate use of grammar and syntax in the highest regard. Tantamount to this is the wearing of decent underwear. The below advert from one of our favorite purveyors, Aussiebum, simply pains us greatly.

Plastic's

2008-03-25T22:43:00.000-07:00

Here's the thing: if you know "cans" does not require an apostrophe in one language (and can, further, incorporate the universal symbol for recycling into your notice), why do you insist on "can's" in English?!

Thanks to Nick for spotting this sign!

It Just Came Up

2008-03-13T17:20:00.000-07:00

Our good friend Jeff sent in a picture of a helpful sign on an ATM machine. Two things:

1) Who needs instructions on how to use an ATM in 2008? If you can't figure it out, you probably shouldn't be operating this sophisticated equipment.

2) I love that the person who attempted to fix this sign missed the glaring error in the first sentence.

Not In My House

2008-03-02T00:18:00.000-08:00

Pro photographer Burrill Strong was kind enough to send in this decidedly un-pro call-and-response sign, snapped at a recent basketball game:

It hurts!

No Treaspassing

2008-02-25T15:56:00.001-08:00

I only have one question: if the sign is spelled incorrectly, do you have to heed its warning?

Thanks to Matt and John for this one!

This Stairway Is Close

2008-02-25T15:26:00.001-08:00

So close, in fact, that you could step right up onto it. And keep going. After all, there's nothing to stop you. If only all stairways were this conveniently close.

Thanks to Derek and Kyle for sending this one in!

Round 'Em Up!

2008-02-25T13:15:00.000-08:00

Vulture friend Matt sent us this ad from Goldenvoice. He was baffled that they felt The Judds needed an apostrophe. We can only agree.

Foreign Vultures

2008-02-24T23:00:00.000-08:00

As previously established, blunders captured in a land where English is not the primary language are generally exempt from our ruthless ridicule... but this duo, captured during a recent trip to Mexico, is too good to resist.

Scalators? Sounds like something out of the Transformers franchise.

If you are the hot guy in sunglasses, email us!

Beef shirt? If only! We'd buy one in every size and color!

Due Prosses

2008-01-22T21:42:00.000-08:00

There are a few problems with this notice, spotted at a beloved neighborhood café in Venice, CA:

First, small business owner, you'll want to review your merchant agreement with Visa/MasterCard a little closer. It's always a violation of their terms to require a minimum purchase amount or, in most cases, to require customer identification merely to complete the transaction.

Oh, and "processing" requires a "c" in order to make sense.

Where The Weed Ends

2008-01-04T16:14:00.000-08:00

Why not start the year off with a food-related post? This gem was spotted in the window of a Burbank hot dog joint:

Happy holidays from the Vultures!

2007-12-21T12:42:00.000-08:00

When, exactly?

2007-12-18T14:08:00.000-08:00

You're probably thinking by now, dear reader, that the Vultures spend altogether too much time at the urinal. Who knew there were so many examples of photo-worthy bathroom signage? This gem, spotted during jury duty at the Los Angeles County Superior Court, caused me to laugh out loud:

Just the one flush? Per day? Per trial? Unfortunate, in any case!

An underwhelming film is released.

2007-11-25T11:54:00.001-08:00

No money left in the budget for complete sentences.

Critic Kenneth Turan calls this "ripped-from-today's-headlines thriller" a "slick excuse for efficient mayhem ... not half as smart as it would like to be." With a movie poster that puts a period after words like "Now they have become the target," we would tend to agree!

Thanks to Hollywood vulture vza for this catch!

Mr. Otis Regrets

2007-11-22T17:33:00.000-08:00

Family comes to town. Vulture finds this sign posted in their hotel's elevator:
Vulture is delighted.

It's not the economy, stupid.

2007-11-22T17:24:00.000-08:00

Nothing says "My business is a failure" like spray paint signage.
Nothing says "My life is a failure" like getting it wrong.

Coffee's Shop

2007-11-08T12:05:00.000-08:00

This one is tough to see. If you squint just so, you'll notice that the fancy glass directory of services at the base of a building in downtown Los Angeles proudly proclaims "Starbuck's Coffee" is a tenant.

I'd sure like to meet Mr. Starbuck. Methinks Starbucks Coffee Company would not approve this signage!

Holy Baat Cave!

2007-11-06T20:55:00.000-08:00

We are grateful to vulture Karen for sending in this frightening pair of signs spotted at an all-girls Catholic school in San Diego:

I'm not sure what's worse: multiple signs confirming the blunder, mysterious handwriting apparently incapable of representing the letter "M," or the fact that these are posted at an institution of learning?

Grammar In Peril

2007-10-09T09:26:00.000-07:00

I've been invited to an "advanced" screening of Planet In Peril! Is there something that makes this screening better than others? Is it advanced in the same way as those annoying parents think their child is advanced and then try to get them to learn Japanese before they're two?

I've heard of seeing a movie in advance, but an advanced screening...that must be something very special indeed.

At least they got "first come, first served" right.

Fewer Leters

2007-09-22T09:48:00.002-07:00

Sacramento vulture Cori sent in this gas station blunder:

It's a wonder they got "assistance" right!

Ain't technology great?

2007-09-17T19:47:00.000-07:00

You don't even have to walk to the front of the supermarket anymore. As long as you're not using a gift card, you can complete your transaction right there in the aisle!

Unsafe Vulture

2007-09-13T22:30:00.000-07:00

I don't know where poor vulture LizyPo found this unfortunate request...

...but I fear for her safety.

I am reminded of Boston's great fire at the Cocoanut Grove nightclub. From the always-reliable Wikipedia:

"As is common in panic situations, many patrons attempted to exit through the main entrance, the same way they had come in. However, the building's main entrance was a single revolving door, immediately rendered useless as the panicked crowd scrambled for safety. Bodies piled up behind both sides of the revolving door, jamming it to the extent that firefighters had to dismantle it in order to get inside."

I think I'd like to jam this sign's creator into a revolving door and spin it around a few times.

The Very Best Western

2007-09-13T22:13:00.000-07:00

While stopping over at a Best Western in Oregon, vulture Noelle captured the following example of outstanding customer service:

"Apparently, there is only ever one guest taken into consideration at the Best Western. " Here's hoping Noelle was that night's lucky guest!

Totoataly wild!

2007-09-09T23:24:00.000-07:00

Philadelphia scenester/vulture Carolynn sent in this horrific posting from a local venue:

Wow. Old scholl? Rhmixes? Not altogether surprising, when you consider this blurb from their website: The Khyber is opened upstairs every night of the week and FREE. $1 PBR & $1 High Life every night till 11pm upstairs. Sundays has $10 OPEN BAR.

Au revoir, English language.

Indefatigable

2007-09-06T21:11:00.000-07:00

Dear Firewise Communities and Forest Service,

Your ad space (taken from the back pages of this week's Entertainment Weekly) might just be more effective if you didn't make up words!

To What Extent?

2007-08-29T15:53:00.001-07:00

At great personal risk, I whipped out my cell phone camera while in the locker room at my gym:

Extented?! Does the word even sound like that, rolling off one's tongue?

Hot Grannies

2007-08-22T15:49:00.000-07:00

Who knew the Crate & Barrel catalog was so nasty?

Abuela, when translated from Spanish, means grandma. Do the Crate & Barrel marketing wizards think my granny is a mocha-skinned hottie? Or, worse yet, am I downing a steamy cup of chocolate grandma powder?

Gross!

Thirsty?

2007-08-10T13:50:00.000-07:00

Petty ill will or hatred with the disposition to irritate, annoy, or thwart... now with no calories!!

From Kanye West's tour rider. [The Smoking Gun]

For Sale?

2007-07-27T10:20:00.000-07:00

NYC vulture Cyndi captured this intriguing use of spacing and punctuation while visiting a shop in the Pacific Northwest:

More contemplating than admonishing, it's no wonder this sign is posted beneath a ponderous chocolate likeness!

I think I'm gonna Ralph.

2007-07-19T14:07:00.000-07:00

Hey abc7.com...

...there's no apostrophe in...

... ya morons.

They must be punctuation-happy because the hyphen in "50-Years" is also completely useless. Also, the whole thing reads like a ten year-old's book report.

We are but lowly bloggers. You write for a living. You bring shame to KABC-TV, ABC News, The Walt Disney Company, Kroger, and the late George and Walter Ralphs.

(Furthermore, dear readers, aren't you amazed at how I managed to acquire this article from the future in order to post it here on July 19th?!)

Urination Station

2007-07-16T20:20:00.001-07:00

Okay, the glaring error here - as echoed in supermarkets across the country - is "less" rather than "fewer."

The bigger issue, though? It was posted in one of these restaurants above a urinal in the men's room. Gross!

Fur Sail

2007-07-14T12:20:00.000-07:00

I'll teke mi bisniss alswere, thenks.

Paris or Burbank?

2007-07-06T08:07:00.000-07:00

Milles, we're told, means thousand in French. This lube center in Burbank must offer countless service options!

Puppy Seeds

2007-07-05T10:38:00.001-07:00

This gem was sent in by Jeff who says, "Puppy seeds? Is THAT how they grow new puppies?" A good question indeed. Not much more need be said about it, but I am left wondering why the capitalization went all wonky in "CHeEsE."

Nina's Grocerie's Store's

2007-07-04T18:17:00.000-07:00

What is it about apostrophes? Correct usage of the little buggers manages to elude what seems like a majority of English speaking people.

Let's face it - this sign (spotted in Philadelphia by Liza) has a lot working against it: a horribly unnecessary apostrophe, a street address that's nearly falling off, and who knows what further infringement is hiding behind the slapped-on "sundries"?!

Do You Suppose They Wear Tutus?

2007-06-26T17:08:00.000-07:00

This entry may be a tad unfair seeing as how the photo was taken in Mexico and we must therefore assume that this sign's creater was writing in a language other than his own, but it's just too good to resist:

BALLET PARKING! Can you imagine all of the macho Mexican "ballet" attendants in tutus and pink satin slippers pirouetting as they hand you your keys? Classic!

Sorry about the blurry photo but our intrepid photographer Aleks just couldn't pass up this perfect Vulture. And I couldn't pass up posting it.

The Department of Redundancy Department, Part 2

2007-06-22T12:21:00.000-07:00

I take issue with this notice to the kind folks of West Hollywood for several reasons:

Does every sentence have to be its own paragraph?

Would it kill them to use some periods?

Why does this need to be centered?

My biggest problem, however, is the sentence "We will begin starting at 8:00 AM". When will they begin ending?

Many thanks to Jeff for sending this one in.