political commentator * author * publisher * bookseller * radio presenter * blogger * Conservative candidate * former lobbyist * Jack Russell owner * West Ham United fanatic * Email iain AT iaindale DOT com
Tuesday, October 14, 2008
Confessions of a Proof Reader
Me: Surely Dr Dr, doesn't have an 'e' on the end? Ben: That would be Doctor Dre, the American rap star... Me: [goes red] Ben: And he's only two years younger than you... Me: You're sacked.
I have no idea what this Dr Dr thread is about but recently came across a World War 1 German officer called Herbert Ritter von Wurmb. After the war he qualified as a medical practitioner and then as a dentist. His full title then was Dr.Dr Herbert Ritter von Wurmb (because he was a Doctor twice over). I wonder if this titling is still current in Germany today?
Ha! I love a good old proofing mix-up. I've been sent to the verge of hysteria by such things on deadline.
Reminds me of my favourite typo, which made it into several publications' Christmas TV listings: "Chitty Chitty Gang Bang".
Or a wonderful mistyping of a feature I dictated to someone about an actor who "was in Bread". Which came out as "inbred". Luckily this was spotted before anyone sued me for libel!
Yes, all these are possible: Herr Dr. Dr. Stop. Herr Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. hc. Stop. (using stop to avoid repeating full stop). A brace of Drs are known as Dres. (a married pair of Drs. for example). All common practice in Germany today. The Austrians are ten times worse when it comes to titles.
Oops. Iain, does the Q7 CD player refuse to play Dr Dre? Surely not.
ReplyDeleteLater in same conversation...
ReplyDeleteIain: but surely M&M is a type of chocolate?
But you're an ABBA fan, why would anyone expect you to know anything about music..?!
ReplyDeleteMaggie Thatcher Nutcrackers
ReplyDeletehttp://tinyurl.com/4tz6zq
I have no idea what this Dr Dr thread is about but recently came across a World War 1 German officer called Herbert Ritter von Wurmb. After the war he qualified as a medical practitioner and then as a dentist. His full title then was Dr.Dr Herbert Ritter von Wurmb (because he was a Doctor twice over). I wonder if this titling is still current in Germany today?
ReplyDeleteIain, have you forgotten about Dre?
ReplyDeleteHa! I love a good old proofing mix-up. I've been sent to the verge of hysteria by such things on deadline.
ReplyDeleteReminds me of my favourite typo, which made it into several publications' Christmas TV listings: "Chitty Chitty Gang Bang".
Or a wonderful mistyping of a feature I dictated to someone about an actor who "was in Bread". Which came out as "inbred". Luckily this was spotted before anyone sued me for libel!
anon 1:44
ReplyDeleteI think his full title would be Herr Dr. Dr. ....
i have also heard herr dr dr refered to as herr double doctor.
ReplyDeleteScrew Ben. Clearly deserved.
ReplyDeleteThank you Alice :)
ReplyDeleteblue eyes - lmfao.
ReplyDeleteIain can I bring to your attention the very excellent rap charts? Just in case you need to start channelling the youth vote again?
http://www.jamphat.com/rap/
Yes, all these are possible: Herr Dr. Dr. Stop. Herr Prof. Dr. Dr. Dr. hc. Stop. (using stop to avoid repeating full stop). A brace of Drs are known as Dres. (a married pair of Drs. for example). All common practice in Germany today. The Austrians are ten times worse when it comes to titles.
ReplyDeleteSurely a married pair of Drs is a paradox?
ReplyDeleteOld Joke - but it describes my family!
At this very moment (well almost) I am currently proof-reading a very boring but technically involved document, so I feel your pain.
ReplyDeleteAs far as firing Ben, I hope you gave him the compulsory two verbal warnings or one written warning beforehand? :)
Maybe it should be "Confessions of a Prof Reader - or how to doctor other people's work" (ok, sorry about that one...).
ReplyDeleteI am sure Dr Dre knows your name Iain!
ReplyDeleteWhat was it that Dr. Dre said?
ReplyDelete