Word Crimes

[TheLazenby]

As one of the YT commenters pointed out - the notebook has a Trogdor drawn on it.

Nice touch!

[weird_el]

Something I didn't notice until I saw the lyric written out... in the last verse Al alternates the correct usage of "your" and "you're". Brilliant!

[DrDecay]

Who knew that this would be the song I am hooked on. I guess I will have to become accustom to "Yankochicks."

[mrbellamy]

Anyway, I'm less concerned about the parody source than I am about what to say if my kids ask about the cunning linguist line. In the scope of Al's body of work, that seemed just a bit jarring to me.

Tell them that it means a very smart person who studies English.

Oh and that Grammar Girl article and those comments...I mean, people are entitled to their opinions, but talk about sensitive. I did sympathize with the teacher who was disappointed that the tone wasn't more positive so she could show it in her classroom.

[Bruce the Duck]

Oh and that Grammar Girl article and those comments...I mean, people are entitled to their opinions, but talk about sensitive. I did sympathize with the teacher who was disappointed that the tone wasn't more positive so she could show it in her classroom, though.

Pssh! I'll definitely be showing that in my classroom! Kids understand humor, and get that the insults are a joke.

I'm more disappointed that I can't show them "Tacky."

[jbracciante]

Currently the most shared video on youtube:

https://www.youtube.com/trendsmap#sex=0&age=0&type=1" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Also most viewed:

http://www.youtube.com/trendsdashboard#" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[TMBJon]

Nice! Screencapped for posterity:

[Skippy]

On the subject of criticism of the song's insults: I interpret the song as one of those take-both-sides bits that Al does from time to time. To me, the insults are kind of a jab at online grammar Nazis who go way too far. That's why he brings up "people mock[ing] you online" in the beginning of the song. The narrator is not Al (as most people are assuming, because he is also annoyed by bad grammar) but one of those self-appointed internet proofreaders with a condescending attitude, which is kind of a parallel to Robin Thicke's belittling of women in the original song.

Anyway, that's my take on it.

[TMBJon]

On the subject of criticism of the song's insults: I interpret the song as one of those take-both-sides bits that Al does from time to time. To me, the insults are kind of a jab at online grammar Nazis who go way too far. That's why he brings up "people mock[ing] you online" in the beginning of the song. The narrator is not Al (as most people are assuming, because he is also annoyed by bad grammar) but one of those self-appointed internet proofreaders with a condescending attitude, which is kind of a parallel to Robin Thicke's belittling of women in the original song.

Anyway, that's my take on it.

I really agree with this!

[Yankovic-Gretzky]

Word Crimes music video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Gv0H-vPoDc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;