Single. Words. With. Periods. (Example: "Best. Concert. Ever.")

[Berkeley Brett]

I hope you are all well & in good spirits.

Have you noticed this recent use of single words paired with periods for emphasis? It seems to be popular in online writing (blogs, social media, etc.)

Examples:

1) In the "comments" section of a video of a recent concert on YouTube:

"Best. Concert. Ever."

2) Recently seen on Twitter:

"Must. Overcome. Jetlag.

3) Recent email about a certain person's employer

"My boss is totally. f---ing. clueless."

You get the idea. Each period-paired word is to be spoken with emphasis and followed by a brief pause.

My question is, does anyone know when, where, or why this trend started?

When. Where. Why.

When? Where? Why?

There, that's better.

Any thoughts you might have on this question are most welcome.

P.S. This phenomenon reminds me of a famous advertising line from the 1960s in the U.S. for the insecticide "Raid" -- four hammer-like syllables:

"Raid Kills Bugs Dead"

Oddly, this line is widely believed to have been the work of Beat poet Lew Welch who worked for the ad agency with which it is associated ( http://is.gd/4zjD9U ). Mr. Welch disappeared under mysterious circumstances in California in 1971. No one really knows what happened to him, though he did leave behind a suicide note:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lew_Welch

Incidentally, musician Huey Lewis was his step son and took his stage name from Lew(is) Welch. Welch had gone to Reed College with Gary Snyder & Philip Whalen, and later lived with Richard Brautigan and Whalen in San Francisco -- an interesting life with a sad ending:

http://is.gd/GvYZ8h

Alas, a life too short....

--
Brett (in Berkeley, California, USA)
On Twitter at:
http://twitter.com/BerkeleyBrett
(You don't have to be a Twitter user to view this stream of ideas!)

[Don Phillipson]

"Berkeley Brett" <roya...@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:b34595e2-65f3-4454...@googlegroups.com...

<<
Have you noticed this recent use of single words paired with periods for
emphasis? It seems to be popular in online writing (blogs, social media,
etc.)

Examples:

1) In the "comments" section of a video of a recent concert on YouTube:

"Best. Concert. Ever."
>>

Like "air quotes," this affectation in writing seems unremarkable.
In the 18th century Writers added Emphasis by Capitalizing words
like this. H*Y*M*A*N K*A*P*L*A*N had his own way of writing.
Kiddies may believe that writing in purple crayon adds
emphasis: and so on. The common element is usually
an attempt to put into writing the same emphases and style
that produced powerful speech. This may be normal in people who
were never told good writing and good speech may be
different in style.

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

[Stan Brown]

On Sun, 2 Dec 2012 08:20:20 -0500, Don Phillipson wrote:

> Have you noticed this recent use of single words paired with periods for
> emphasis? It seems to be popular in online writing (blogs, social media,
> etc.)

Yes, and I find it quite annoying. It's like slow-motion in movies:
once is effective; multiple repetitions are just annoying.

Speaking of which, your non-standard manner of quoting makes it
impossible, when reading a follow-up, to tell what you said and what
you quoted.



--
"The difference between the /almost right/ word and the /right/ word
is ... the difference between the lightning-bug and the lightning."
--Mark Twain
Stan Brown, Tompkins County, NY, USA http://OakRoadSystems.com

[Christian Weisgerber]

Berkeley Brett <roya...@gmail.com> wrote:

> Have you noticed this recent use of single words paired with periods for
> emphasis? It seems to be popular in online writing (blogs, social media,
> etc.)

Young people like yourself who only read on the Internet and never
touch a printed book may be unaware of the history, but I'm fairly
confident that I first encountered this usage in novels back before
everybody was online.

--
Christian "naddy" Weisgerber na...@mips.inka.de

[R H Draney]

Lewis filted:
>
>In message <b34595e2-65f3-4454...@googlegroups.com>

> Berkeley Brett <roya...@gmail.com> wrote:
>> My question is, does anyone know when, where, or why this trend started?
>

>It's been around a long time, but it's gained popularity recently because of The
>Simpsons and the Comic Shop guy's frequent "Worst. <something>. Ever." Said with
>a distinctive pause between each word.
>
>> When. Where. Why.
>
>The first time I can remember seeing it was in 1980 or 81, but it didn't
>fit the "Best/Worst. <something>. Ever." trope, it was something like
>"Try. Win. Die anyway." and was written on a classmates folder.
>
>In the late 80's there was a short-lived trend among the people I knew
>for introducing awkward periods into sentences, though I can't think of
>an example off the top of my head."

Been there. Done that. Bought the t-shirt.

....r


--
Me? Sarcastic?
Yeah, right.

[James Hogg]

Christian Weisgerber wrote:
> Berkeley Brett <roya...@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> Have you noticed this recent use of single words paired with periods for
>> emphasis? It seems to be popular in online writing (blogs, social media,
>> etc.)
>
> Young people like yourself who only read on the Internet and never
> touch a printed book may be unaware of the history, but I'm fairly
> confident that I first encountered this usage in novels back before
> everybody was online.

I know of a Swedish baroque poet, Johan Runius, who wrote entire poems
with a period after each word. He was writing in a lapidary style,
imitating old inscriptions in stone, which often have a dot between
words (not just in runic inscriptions where it was obligatory).

I found a query on an Internet forum from someone who wondered how he
could disable the period and initial capital that appeared automatically
on his phone after every word he typed in text messages. It turned out
that he was typing two spaces between each word, which the software
interpreted as the end of a sentence.


--
James

[Stan Brown]

On Sun, 02 Dec 2012 18:16:36 +0100, James Hogg wrote:
> It turned out
> that he was typing two spaces between each word,

What do others think about this locution? It bothers me, and I would
say "two spaces between words", but I know my manner of speech and
writing is a tad over-precise.

[Lars Enderin]

2012-12-02 19:39, Stan Brown skrev:
> On Sun, 02 Dec 2012 18:16:36 +0100, James Hogg wrote:
>> It turned out
>> that he was typing two spaces between each word,
>
> What do others think about this locution? It bothers me, and I would
> say "two spaces between words", but I know my manner of speech and
> writing is a tad over-precise.

It could be an indication that James has not been unaffected by living
in Sweden.

--
Lars Enderin

[Lanarcam]

Le 02/12/2012 19:39, Stan Brown a �crit :

> On Sun, 02 Dec 2012 18:16:36 +0100, James Hogg wrote:
>> It turned out
>> that he was typing two spaces between each word,
>
> What do others think about this locution? It bothers me, and I would
> say "two spaces between words", but I know my manner of speech and
> writing is a tad over-precise.
>

Two spaces between each pair of words?
Two spaces around each word?

[Guy Barry]

"Stan Brown" wrote in message
news:MPG.2b256a80...@news.individual.net...

> On Sun, 02 Dec 2012 18:16:36 +0100, James Hogg wrote:
> > It turned out
> > that he was typing two spaces between each word,

> What do others think about this locution? It bothers me, and I would
> say "two spaces between words", but I know my manner of speech and
> writing is a tad over-precise.

This seems to be a hardy perennial. It was discussed three years ago:

http://groups.google.com/group/alt.usage.english/browse_thread/thread/3793781bddd1631/

As I said then, ' The only sensible resolution to this dispute is to invent
a new preposition,
"tween", defined as "between each member of the set under consideration and
the next one, if such a member exists". Then we can say "a rosebush tween
each fencepost" and all is well.

If enough people start using the new word I'm sure the usage will be
accepted over time. '

Until such time as my proposal is adopted, rephrasing in the way you suggest
appears to be the best solution.

--
Guy Barry

[James Hogg]

I know Eric doesn't find it logical either, but I think you'll find it's
common enough in English. GB gives plenty of hits for "between each".

Her lips to mine how often hath she joined,
Between each kiss her oaths of true love swearing!

--
James

[David Dyer-Bennet]

Stan Brown <the_sta...@fastmail.fm> writes:

> On Sun, 02 Dec 2012 18:16:36 +0100, James Hogg wrote:
>> It turned out
>> that he was typing two spaces between each word,
>
> What do others think about this locution? It bothers me, and I would
> say "two spaces between words", but I know my manner of speech and
> writing is a tad over-precise.

Your is less precise than his, it seems to me.

Is he typing two spaces before each word? After each word? Sometimes,
most of the time, all the time?

The "each" version emphasizes doing it all the time, it seems to me.
--
Googleproofaddress(account:dd-b provider:dd-b domain:net)
Snapshots: http://dd-b.net/dd-b/SnapshotAlbum/data/
Photos: http://dd-b.net/photography/gallery/
Dragaera: http://dragaera.info

[JOF]

On Sun, 02 Dec 2012 20:16:26 +0100, Lanarcam <lana...@yahoo.fr>
wrote:

It'd have to be four.
--
John

[John Varela]

On Sun, 2 Dec 2012 19:56:48 UTC, JOF <qu...@yahoo.com> wrote:

> On Sun, 02 Dec 2012 20:16:26 +0100, Lanarcam <lana...@yahoo.fr>
> wrote:
>

> >Le 02/12/2012 19:39, Stan Brown a écrit :
> >> On Sun, 02 Dec 2012 18:16:36 +0100, James Hogg wrote:
> >>> It turned out
> >>> that he was typing two spaces between each word,
> >>
> >> What do others think about this locution? It bothers me, and I would
> >> say "two spaces between words", but I know my manner of speech and
> >> writing is a tad over-precise.
> >>
> >Two spaces between each pair of words?
> >Two spaces around each word?
>
> It'd have to be four.

That's not a fencepost error but it's a cousin. Does it have a name?

--
John Varela

When the people find that they can vote themselves money, that will
herald the end of the republic. -- Benjamin Franklin

[Robert Bannister]

On 3/12/12 2:39 AM, Stan Brown wrote:
> On Sun, 02 Dec 2012 18:16:36 +0100, James Hogg wrote:
>> It turned out
>> that he was typing two spaces between each word,
>
> What do others think about this locution? It bothers me, and I would
> say "two spaces between words", but I know my manner of speech and
> writing is a tad over-precise.
>
>
>

I prefer the original, but I don't think it matters.

--
Robert Bannister

[Mark Brader]

James Hogg:

>>> It turned out that he was typing two spaces between each word,

Stan Brown:
>> What do others think about this locution? It bothers me...

I don't use it, but I ought to, because it's the best way to say it.


Guy Barry:

> As I said then, ' The only sensible resolution to this dispute is to invent

> a new preposition, "tween"...

> Until such time as my proposal is adopted, rephrasing in the way you suggest
> appears to be the best solution.

No, the best solution is to use the existing expression "between each".
--
Mark Brader | "On our campus the UNIX system has proved to be not
Toronto | only an effective software tool, but an agent of
m...@vex.net | technical and social change within the University."
| -- John Lions, 1979

[James Hogg]

Mark Brader wrote:
> James Hogg:
>>>> It turned out that he was typing two spaces between each word,
>
> Stan Brown:
>>> What do others think about this locution? It bothers me...
>
> I don't use it, but I ought to, because it's the best way to say it.
>
>
> Guy Barry:
>> As I said then, ' The only sensible resolution to this dispute is to invent
>> a new preposition, "tween"...
>
>> Until such time as my proposal is adopted, rephrasing in the way you suggest
>> appears to be the best solution.
>
> No, the best solution is to use the existing expression "between each".

"Typing two spaces after each word" would have worked just as well in
this case, but I chose "between" instinctively.

--
James

[CDB]

Or you could leave it and add "and the next", which seems to be what's
missing. Reminds me a bit of "as far as X ['is concerned' deleted]".

[Guy Barry]

"CDB" wrote in message news:k9i3mk$igd$1...@speranza.aioe.org...

To be precise, "and the next, if there is one" (otherwise you haven't
covered the last one).

--
Guy Barry

[Mike Barnes]

Lewis <g.k...@gmail.com.dontsendmecopies>:
>In message <k9ho4l$l9i$1...@speranza.aioe.org>

>Not if you don't put two spaces after the final word.

You've missed the point (helped by some over-zealous snipping). James'
point quoted at the top was, in full:

"I found a query on an Internet forum from someone who wondered how
he could disable the period and initial capital that appeared
automatically on his phone after every word he typed in text
messages. It turned out that he was typing two spaces between each
word, which the software interpreted as the end of a sentence."

So whether he'd put two spaces or a full stop after the final word, the
effect would have been the same.

--
Mike Barnes
Cheshire, England

[Peter Duncanson [BrE]]

How about "Typing spaces in pairs"?


--
Peter Duncanson, UK
(in alt.usage.english)

[Mike L]

I bet I say "between each" all the time, but "between words" is what
I'd write in cautious prose.

--
Mike.

[CDB]

On 03/12/2012 9:16 AM, Guy Barry wrote:

> "CDB" wrote:
>> James Hogg wrote:

>> > "Typing two spaces after each word" would have worked just as well in
>> > this case, but I chose "between" instinctively.

>> Or you could leave it and add "and the next", which seems to be what's
>> missing.

> To be precise, "and the next, if there is one" (otherwise you haven't
> covered the last one).

That's why it doesn't get spaces. I think your caution could be applied
to James's version, though: "two spaces after each word except the last".

[David Combs]

In article <krKdnSkN847iwiHN...@vex.net>,

Mark Brader <m...@vex.net> wrote:
>James Hogg:
>>>> It turned out that he was typing two spaces between each word,
>
>Stan Brown:
>>> What do others think about this locution? It bothers me...
>
>I don't use it, but I ought to, because it's the best way to say it.
>
>
>Guy Barry:
>> As I said then, ' The only sensible resolution to this dispute is to invent
>> a new preposition, "tween"...
>
>> Until such time as my proposal is adopted, rephrasing in the way you suggest
>> appears to be the best solution.
>
>No, the best solution is to use the existing expression "between each".

NO! To my ears, anyway, it hurts.

How about "are separated by" (or maybe for computer types, "delimited by")?


David

[David Combs]

In article <VrH$0bH21M...@34klh41lk4h1lk34h3lk4h1k4.invalid>,

"he was separating each word by two spaces"?

"Between" just doesn't sound right to my ear.

David

[David Combs]

In article <8ubqb8djdvbjrd370...@4ax.com>,

"Each word separated from the next by two spaces."

Even if ugly, does it handle the final word?

David

[Guy Barry]

"David Combs" wrote in message news:kd53ic$rc9$5...@reader1.panix.com...

["It turned out that he was typing two spaces between each word"]

>"he was separating each word by two spaces"?
>
>"Between" just doesn't sound right to my ear.

Your version sounds even worse. You can separate one word from another, or
you can separate two words, but you can't separate a single word (in the
sense intended). So "separating each word" doesn't make sense, unless
perhaps you meant separating the word *internally*, which would suggest
typing like this:

h e w as sep arating ea ch wo rd b y tw o spa ces

--
Guy Barry

[CDB]

On 15/01/2013 9:37 PM, David Combs wrote:
> Mike L <n...@yahoo.co.uk> wrote:
>> Robert Bannister <rob...@clubtelco.com> wrote:

>>> Stan Brown wrote:
>>>> James Hogg wrote:

>>>>> It turned out
>>>>> that he was typing two spaces between each word,

>>>> What do others think about this locution? It bothers me, and I would
>>>> say "two spaces between words", but I know my manner of speech and
>>>> writing is a tad over-precise.

>>> I prefer the original, but I don't think it matters.

>> I bet I say "between each" all the time, but "between words" is what
>> I'd write in cautious prose.

> "Each word separated from the next by two spaces."

> Even if ugly, does it handle the final word?

I still think "and the next" is the easiest way to make it right.

Not always, though.

"You are like one flower,
So swell and good and clean;
I look you on, and longing
Slinks me the heart between."