My editing pet peeve - what's yours?

Always. You can do by-the-numbers on ANY-fucking-thing.

Dude, we're the ones re-thinking our life as we realize that Stanford-UTEP women is the only thing keeping us in the office at 12:20 a.m. EDT.

 

You mean unnecessary commas before and, right?

They're required before "and" (and "but") if an independent clause follows, and most writers (and apparently many copy editors) today don't seem aware of that.

 

i'm sure those 32 seconds are a real cocksucker. but have you ever thought it could have had something to do with you being a half hour late with your copy?

 

I'm putting a lifesize Tom Petty cutout beside my desk to ward off unruly sportswriters ...

I'm going to do it at 4 p.m. Tuesday in Harrisburg, Pa.

 

Outstanding. Make sure to remove the balls, though. For accuracy's sake.

 

just sayin', shottie. just sayin'.

 

Are you putting a helmet on him?

 

Fortunately, that usually isn't hasn't been a problem for me. I've sent many a "this is what you need to improve" e-mail. Most of the students who get them take them to heart and immediately turn in better copy.

 

well you dickhead. totally uncalled for.

 

Another pet peeve: Writers who end sentences with prepositions.

 

Don't worry Tom, spup keeps her purse locked so doc can't even see his balls anymore

 

sonuvabitch.