Comments on: Speaking about Cheesesteaks

By: Brian

Brian — Mon, 19 Jun 2006 00:23:48 +0000

Here’s the thing about misapplied quotation marks: it’s not just a random mistake. It actually serves a purpose, albeit an unconscious one (usually) on the sign-scrivener’s part. In this case, as in many, the citational signal of the q. marks allow the restaurant to “distance” itself from the truly assholish imperative of the sentence. When ordering, speak english.—is much less palatable than: When ordering, “speak English”—as if they’re merely reminding us of a commonplace phrase that they didn’t invent, or of some corporate logo they’re not responsible for.

By: beans

beans — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 23:55:50 +0000

Your first point reminds me of the doors in my previous university’s library labelled “fire exit”.

I always wondered whether they were actual fire exits, or mere “fire exits”.

(I never did find out).

By: nick s

nick s — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 08:09:14 +0000

When “Seabrooks” took the “quotation marks” from its “bags” of “crisps”, I shed a tear.

By: Karen M

Karen M — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 05:10:25 +0000

I’m a relative newbie here, having only lurked before, but I could not resist this post, as I am currently a suburban Philadelphia (Lansdowne) resident.

Because of a dietary restriction (wheat/dairy), it’s been a long time since I’ve even had a cheese steak, but I use to prefer Jim’s. Of course, I am not a native.

More recently, my adult daughter has become fond of Schmitters (sp?), which are found, as far as I know, only in Chestnut Hill.

I regret never getting to try one of those legendary pork sandwiches.

As for quotation marks, earlier tonight I came across this: Sincerity is the New Irony. I think it was somewhere on Salon. Maybe on VideoDog…

By: Ginger Yellow

Ginger Yellow — Fri, 16 Jun 2006 01:13:52 +0000

Um, how have we had nearly 50 comments on the linguistic acceptability of emphasis quotation marks without anybody mentioning Brian’s random capitalisation or the lack of a full stop/period in the original sign?

By: Bro. Bartleby

Bro. Bartleby — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 19:56:16 +0000

And by the way, how does a non-English speaking person read a sign printed in English? Should the signs be printed in Spanish (and every other language) so that you target the proper audience? If I were in China, and a sign printed in Chinese read, “When ordering, Speak Chinese!” …

By: Bro. Bartleby

Bro. Bartleby — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 19:51:23 +0000

Perhaps radio talk shows should allow callers to call in speaking any language, that should make for some interesting talk radio, at least more interesting than what normally fills the airwaves. Wonder what would happen if they announced, “Okay, the lines are open, and don’t forget, English only!”

By: washerdreyer

washerdreyer — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 16:57:18 +0000

Maybe the propreitor of Geno’s is really into performance art and is trying to recreate the climactic scene of Do The Right Thing. It’s getting to be the right part of the year for that.

By: harry b

harry b — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 16:31:23 +0000

On the other hand, steve, does the fact that I didn’t go to a “proper” school exempt me from the bar on making fun of bigots?

By: Uncle Kvetch

Uncle Kvetch — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 15:10:16 +0000

And the very best Philly sandwich isn’t even a cheesesteak at all. It’s the roast pork with broccoli rabe and sharp provolone from Tony Luke’s (the real one on Oregon, not the branch on 18th).

Indeed. And we now have an even-less-real Tony Luke’s here in NYC (currently closed for renovations, but we’re waiting patiently). The pork & rabe sandwich is heavenly. The cheesesteaks are damn good, too.

By: Jake

Jake — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 14:39:56 +0000

I’d say it’s an undeniably common practice when considering signs, menus, flyers, local ads, etc. However, if you can figure out how to search for it in LexisNexis I bet you wouldn’t find it common in newspaper or magazine articles. And, descriptivist though I am, I wouldn’t stand for it in a student paper.

I guess it depends upon which groups are salient. Signs, menus, etc. are also habitat to the use of apostrophes in plurals. I feel little inclination to call that an acceptable alternative spelling.

By: harry b

harry b — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 14:11:12 +0000

Being “well educated” prohibits us from making fun of bigots. Dammit, I should have paid less attention at school.

And in this instance, the quotation marks are not misplaced.

Dammit, should have gone to a “posh” school. Sorry not to live up to your expectations, Steve.

By: Brian

Brian — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 13:20:08 +0000

So there seems to be a fair bit of disagreement about whether the use of quotation marks as an emphasis is a common practice or not. As I said, if it turns out this is a wide-enough spread practice in salient groups, I’d say there is nothing wrong with it. It’s not in my dialect, but I speak (and write) Australian, not Atlantic Coast American, so I have no native speaker expertise here.

Having looked at the sign more closely, I think mjh is right about the ‘please’. It is there is small, I think cursive, red print in the bottom left corner. My mistake.

By: Bill Tozier

Bill Tozier — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 11:53:46 +0000

I forget how far south America goes these days. When I was a child, it was Patagonia. I guess it’s different now?

Alas, I was a kid a long time ago, and can no longer wear my concert T-shirt from Laurie Anderson’s “Talk Normal” tour….

By: Steve

Steve — Thu, 15 Jun 2006 11:43:35 +0000

Shouldn’t that be:

Being “well educated” prohibits us from making fun of bigots. Dammit, I should have paid less attention at school.

And in this instance, the quotation marks are not misplaced.

Steve