Monday, January 31, 2011

Confessions of an Editor


Today at work, a man called and asked if he could talk with one of our freelance writers.

Me: well, she isn't in our office, but can I take a message for you?

Man: don't you mean MAY I take a message for you?

Me (thinking to myself): well, actually now I really CAN't take your message because you've hurt my editorial pride and I am now useless for the rest of the day. Plus, I kinda think you are rude.
Me (out loud): Of course, I mean MAY I take a message for you?

Man: Well, no you cannot. I need to speak with her directly.

Me (thinking to myself): Don't you mean "no you MAY not?"
Me (out loud): Let me transfer you over to my managing editor and she CAN help you.

3 comments:

  1. Yeah, that's probably the only thing I don't like about editing - you always have to be right or suddenly you've lost all credibility. I always say I believe in descriptive linguistics, which is in support of language change.

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  2. He's rude. Let's get his address and go toilet paper him later. I'm sure Kimber will be totally in on that.

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  3. The entire thing would have gone right over my head and I would have just been cotton headed enough to wonder why in the heck is he so upset. Don't sweat the small stuff.

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