Marquee misused

[West Peterson]

The following is merely an observance and is meant to be helpful. I am not trying to be pretentious, or to point fingers (God knows I make plenty of mistakes).

Every once in a while, I see in one of the regional newsletters (as well as National publications), the misuse of the word "marquee."

According to Webster's Ninth, "marquee" is a large tent set up for an outdoor party... or a permanent canopy projecting over an entrance (as of a hotel or theater). It has nothing to do with describing an automobile.

I understand why this is happening.

When speaking of a particular car, it is often referred as a marque (pronounced mark). For instance, "That particular marque of car is considered to be extremely collectible". However, when someone is writing the same sentence on the computer, using Microsoft Word (or possibly another application), the application's spell checker doesn't recognize the word, "marque", and asks the writer if he/she wants to change the spelling to "marquee." It seems many people are quickly checking "okay," and going on with their story.

Webster's Ninth, however, does recognize the word "marque," as being "a brand or make of a product."

There's also another seperate listing and definition for the word "marque" that has nothing to do with automobiles ("to mark, seize as pledge... reprisal, retaliation." I bring this up merely to point that MS Word (and any other word application) has completely dropped the ball by not including the word(s) in its dictionary.

The problem has now worked its way into language as well, as I am now often hearing people SAY the word MARQUEE when they really mean marque.

[R W Burgess]

West, very good information. I have trouble spelling as well as prononcing( [color:"red"] pronouncing ) that work(word) myself.

A little information on my other "problems". I'm not a good typist, never took it in school. Who would have thought I even needed that skill when I was young and either thinking of truckdriving or farming for a living.

Now, with the computer hobby throw ( [color:"red"] thrown ) at me <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />, first by Earl Beauchamp(replacing him as an editor), then of course as moderator of this forum, I had to work hard and fast to improve myself. Since I never took typing in school, my right hand gets in front of my left(I'm righthanded), I make many typos, for instance, form should always be "from". An occasional "X", or "Z" gets in the way of my printing. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> Fat figures?(fingers, see what I mean!)

So, as West stated, you can't even rely on a speel(spell) checker to correct your mistakes. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

What to do??? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" /> A proof reader is called for, whetehr(whether) a family memebr(member) or friend. It's really strange in my case. I can see a word, pretty much any word, and know for w(a) faxt(fact, sorry)that it is spelled incorrectly. But, in most cases, a dictionary is called for, or my wife, or even 16 year old Mike. I'm serious, he can speel(spell) better than me in most cases.

So, don't be embarrassed by your diction or spelling, just get a good proof reader to go over your newsletter. Everybody makes mistakes, as West said.

Even you, West? <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

PS, Ok guys, my wife has critiqued my message, letters in red. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[Guest Debby Soucia]

Like you Wayne, I never typed but needed to put our company on the computer for book work. So I started one finger at a time. Now I am not great but use two hands!!

I use a proof reader, a club member who checks over my stuff before I start printing. I use spell check first but she has found mistakes, 6 in this last issue.:(

I am trying to get better but glad she will still do it.

[Bhigdog]

My dictionary defines "mark" as "An inscription or name placed on an article to signify ownership, quality, manufacture or origin". So, are we being pretentious when we say "marque"? Also when a dog pee's on my tire is he marking my marque or marqueing my mark?

[West Peterson]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">My dictionary defines "mark" as "An inscription or name placed on an article to signify ownership, quality, manufacture or origin". So, are we being pretentious when we say "marque"? Also when a dog pee's on my tire is he marking my marque or marqueing my mark? </div></div>

That's funny. But no, it wouldn't be pretentious, as they have two entirely different meanings. "mark", as you pointed out, means to "take ownership", such as the dog claiming ownership to your car's tire. So the dog would indeed be marking your marque.

[R W Burgess]

That's good, West. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[Guest AlK]

West:

I think you will also find that MSWORD in addition to pointing out your/others spelling mistakes, it also gives you a list of words that it thinks you might want to use. On that same drop down window it also gives you the opportunity to add a word to MSWORDS internal dictionary. Once you do that you will always have it. Of course to add the word one would have to know that is the proper word to use. Keep in mind our educational system has been sorely declining in the basic essentials over the last few years.

[D Binger]

West,

Remember, If you cant spell a word at least three or four different ways, it ain't worth using.

[West Peterson]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">West,

Remember, If you cant spell a word at least three or four different ways, it ain't worth using.

</div></div>

Dan

Don't tell my boss this, but I've always gone by a similar credo, that if you can't think of more than one way to spell a word, you're pretty narrow minded.

[West Peterson]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">West:

I think you will also find that MSWORD in addition to pointing out your/others spelling mistakes, it also gives you a list of words that it thinks you might want to use. On that same drop down window it also gives you the opportunity to add a word to MSWORDS internal dictionary. Once you do that you will always have it. Of course to add the word one would have to know that is the proper word to use. Keep in mind our educational system has been sorely declining in the basic essentials over the last few years. </div></div>

You're correct, and I'm familiar with adding words into the dictionary. You want to make sure that the word you're adding is spelled correctly first.

[R W Burgess]

West, What do you know about Corel's Word Perfect programs and how or why can't I convert them over. My new Corel program is useless when trying to access my old word documents in my old HP machine. You can pm me, if you like.

Wayne

[Guest Moepar]

I found a similar problem when I got my computer with XP Pro on it where it has business word as opposed to the home version. Not interchangable, had problems with stuff I saved as well.

Have you tried emailing Corel Tech support with that problem?

http://www.corel.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=Corel3/Section/Display&sid=1047022940762

At the bottom of the page I noticed a 'OEM software Dell Wordperct12' link, if this would be the correct application.

Maybe you can get some answers there.

Dawn

[R W Burgess]

Thanks Dawn, I'll try that.

Wayne

[Guest Moepar]

Your welcome, Wayne. I have had several run ins with my old computer (and the new one), know how aggrevating it can be. I hope you get the info you need.

D

PS-by the way, ran old computer over with my '71 300. Not exactly productive, but boy did it feel good!

[R W Burgess]

Dawn, the old Windows ME still works and is used monthly for newsletter publication, but the extension cord wouldn't run with me to Pennsylvania and North! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[novaman]

West, I saw a link to a spelling quiz for words that are commonly misspelled. I got 13 out of 15 correct. 2nd guessed myself out of those two right answers.

spelling quiz

[West Peterson]

I took the test, but when I hit the button "see results," a blank page came up. I kept hitting it with the same results. I'm sure it's because I smoked through the test at such lightning speed and with such accuracy that it pretty much broke the website.

West

[R W Burgess]

<img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Right West! I've seen you spell! <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I got two wrong. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

The wife got 6 wrong, going to send her back to school. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

Wayne

[Guest mike burgess]

Wow,

If he got 2 wrong that means I need to start going over my spelling I got 3 wrong.

Besides, I think he may have an error in his writting

maybe he meant 3 right.

Mike

[R W Burgess]

Writting? Writting? You can go back to school when your Mom does Son!

Been on my computer again, Huh?

Dear 'Ol Dad!

[Terry Bond]

Ok, time to pack it up and save the batteries for Philly. Lookin forward to a great weekend and some quality time with all the DFrs there. As fur as spellin goes, Sue was an English major, so she gets a look at all my formal stuff. You guys get my informal stuff, and aside from knowing what a Marque is, here's a couple of others that get messed up -

Lecturn vs Podium - the podium is somethin the conductor stands on when the guys in the band jam. The lecturn is something that Wayne will use at Philly to make his speech. (or is that a "pulpit?").

And here's a biggie to me - my Dad was an INSURANCE salesman for many years and he taught me the difference between ENSURE and INSURE. Of course now that you can drink the stuff there are added dimensions to the problem, but you get the idea!

Terry

[West Peterson]

I thought the lecturn was where you went to do #1

[Terry Bond]

no,no,no, that was the guy in the movie with Jody Foster -

Terry

[West Peterson]

Bringing this back to the top, as I'm still seeing "marquee" being used as an automotive term.

[mrpushbutton]

Other egregious English language items often mangled in the hobby:

"Duel cowl"--should be "du<span style="font-weight: bold">a</span>l cowl" a duel is a sometimes fatal contest usually brought about by romantic entanglements involving third parties, dual signifies two of something, or something that comes in twos.

"break cylinder"--should be "<span style="font-weight: bold">brake</span> cylinder"

If the writer resides in the Detroit area we often see "worked at Ford's" or "worked at Chrysler's", that is still heard in speech in the area.

No one can agree on whether a station wagon or convertible bodied car with a wood exterior is a "Woodie" or a "Woody" (I prefer "woody")

A Little Poem Regarding Computer Spell Checkers...

Eye halve a spelling chequer

It came with my pea sea

It plainly marques four my revue

Miss steaks eye kin knot sea.

Eye strike a key and type a word

And weight four it two say

Weather eye am wrong oar write

It shows me strait a weigh.

As soon as a mist ache is maid

It nose bee fore two long

And eye can put the error rite

Its rare lea ever wrong.

Eye have run this poem threw it

I am shore your pleased two no

Its letter perfect awl the weigh

My chequer tolled me sew.

<span style="font-style: italic">"spell check is not context check"</span>

More later

[Restorer32]

I let my dog Phideaux check my spelling.

[Guest Moepar]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Other egregious English language items often mangled in the hobby:

"Duel cowl"--should be "du<span style="font-weight: bold">a</span>l cowl" a duel is a sometimes fatal contest usually brought about by romantic entanglements involving third parties, dual signifies two of something, or something that comes in twos.

"break cylinder"--should be "<span style="font-weight: bold">brake</span> cylinder"

</div></div>Round these parts, "duel" cowl=playing chicken so it <span style="font-style: italic">really</span> can be a sometimes fatal contest. And "break" cylinder is the broken version of brake cylinder, and may be the reason the duel was fatal. <img src="http://forums.aaca.org/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> And with that, it is past my bedtime so I'm checking out...