the big issues
It has come to my attention that a grammatical error of fearsome proportions is being inflicted on the good people of Melbourne at present. I refer, of course, to those signs you see on the backs of rubbish trucks at work:
Constantly stopping
Spot the problem? The truck is constantly stopping: it never actually stops trying to stop. You would think when the driver fires up the engine and kicks it into gear, the truck is starting. Also, once the truck actually comes to a stop, perhaps at the end of a shift, then it has stopped stopping and is now stopped. However, if we are to believe the sign, that never happens!
That would be awkward. Imagine those poor rubbish truck drivers, doomed to roam the streets like some manky Flying Dutchman, piloting a craft that is unceasingly attempting to come to rest, but never quite able to stop.
Even the old Flying D managed to come to shore once every seven years or so. If my memory serves me, he then dashed around the local blue-light discos or the Scandinavian equivalent, madly attempting to pull a girlfriend.
Anyway, back to the rubbish-problem, it could all be resolved by replacing the word “Constantly” with “Frequently”.
“Frequently stopping” isn’t that better? I think we can mark that problem “solved”. Tomorrow, I’ll look into Aboriginal reconciliation, the Israel/Palestinian problem and global warming.
Running
13km this fine morning, including another shot at Anderson street.
Update
I’ve just read this, apparently according to Germaine Greer, who should know:
Now that you can buy them, bosoms are over.
From the Guardian.
Damn. I quite liked them.
Filed under: running, trash | Tagged: anderson street, grammar, hills, rubbish



What about the split infinitive? I would be happier with stopping frequently.
I proudly admit to being a big fan of Ms Greer, I have a link to her Guardian Blog in my own. Even as a straight female I profess to finding boobs quite fascinating, then again, we are always captivated but what we haven’t got ourselves
I have always been puzzled by “In case of fire do not use lifts”, for years I resorted to scrambling up and down the stairs, just in case
At my school there was a sign in the girls toilets instructing us on where to leave our “sanity items”. However, it is the “Hookers and Deviates Ball” that upsets me every year though- noun/ verb surely it isn’t that difficult.
you are an odd-bod arent you!!! i must admit certain signs drive me to distraction-
Yes, “Frequently stopping” works, as does “Constantly stopped”. As for the boobs thing, I like them too, but I wouldn’t buy any.
While I always try to keep my Mum happy and I’m not at all annoyed that she leaves comments on my blog pointing out grammatical errors, I must object on this occasion.
“Frequently stopping” would be a split infinitive if it were the infinitive form of the verb, ie. “to frequently stop”. Sadly it’s not.
Ha ha… so there.
smarty pants!