The 53rd Annual Punctuation Posse Round-up

July 19th, 2010 · 103 comments

If you’d like to join a vigilante punctuation posse or a grassroots typography militia, Washington State might be the place for you.

In one Seattle suburb, for example, an underground group has targeted a certain “JS,” who sources say “has some serious control/micromanagement issues, and enjoys flaunting his power to tell people what to do a liiiittle too much. He also tends to find nasty ways to get revenge on people who contradict him.”

Elsewhere in Seattle, “office professionalism” seems to have no bearing on freedom of speech…as long as you use the right typeface, of course.

related: Completely valid rebuttals

77 mail it!

FILED UNDER: "too inside fucking baseball" · Helsinki · awk abbrev · music · not-so-veiled threats

103 responses so far ↓

#1 Dawn

But he uses the apostrophe incorrectly in the WORD “apostrophe.” JS is just begging to be taken down a peg or twelve.

Jul 19, 2010 at 9:10 pm rating: 32

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- #1.1 Harv
  
  I think the use of the apostrophe in the word “apostrophe” might have been a joke…
  
  Sep 2, 2010 at 7:03 am rating: 0
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#2 bean

I want to give him the benefit of the doubt; he used the ’s as a witty remark on people’s misuse of the apostrophe, but he really could have stepped it up with (Commas, ok)

Jul 19, 2010 at 9:13 pm rating: 20

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#3 Lin

Funny that he disses comic sans but says nothing about the excessive exclamation points.

Jul 19, 2010 at 9:15 pm rating: 28

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- #3.1 a-Arialist
  
  My thoughts exactly! Although I thoroughly agree with the anti-comic sans stance.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 3:52 am rating: 10
- #3.2 Mo®
  
  Comic sans and “duck face” should be unilaterally banned!
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 8:13 am rating: 11
- #3.3 Woman on the Verge
  
  I think they should just use webdings and be done with it.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 8:18 am rating: 9
- #3.4 The Elf
  
  The excess Exclamation Point’s got me too!!! Seriously!!! Its’ a Fortune, 500 company Not Facebook!!!
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 9:55 am rating: 24
- #3.5 HandyMarigolds
  
  Have you noticed……………how when people actually use any kind of punctuation,,,,,,,,,,, they think you need eleventeen of it??????????
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 10:09 am rating: 20
- #3.6 DensityDuck
  
  The excessive capitalization and ugly left-justification are fun, too.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 3:46 pm rating: 6
- #3.7 scotto
  
  There’s never an excuse for comic sans.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 3:57 pm rating: 4
- #3.8 WMDKitty
  
  As much as I loathe Comic Sans, it *is* easy to read.
  
  Jul 22, 2010 at 1:15 am rating: 0
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#4 H for Toy

My apostrophes own a couple :symbols and some (symbols, but no /symbols.

Jul 19, 2010 at 9:24 pm rating: 4

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#5 shwonline

They have customers with symbols in their name? Is (The Artist Formerly Known As) Prince a customer?

Jul 19, 2010 at 9:25 pm rating: 32

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- #5.1 The Elf
  
  Given what people name their kids these days, I wouldn’t be surprised to find symbols. I’m not sure I’d even by surprised to find cymbals. After all, there are only so many ways you can misspell “Caitlin” before your little girl has a name just like everybody else’s uneek and cr8tve name.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 9:58 am rating: 13
- #5.2 HandyMarigolds
  
  Oh, man. Come check out Utah sometime. Every boy born after 2002 is named Kaden, and every Kedyn/Kaiden/Qaed’n spells it differently.
  
  As for girls, you just pick two or three syllables you like and stick “Mc/Mac” on the front — especially if you have no Scottish or Irish ancestry.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 10:12 am rating: 12
- #5.3 The Elf
  
  That’s it. If I ever have a little girl, I’m going to name her “Mc’C8lynne &”.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 10:39 am rating: 45
- #5.4 Xenobiologista
  
  I have a hyphen in my given name. Helps to clarify which my given name is because a lot of Chinese people have one-syllable surnames and two-syllable given names, and sometimes it’s not clear whether they’re writing their names the traditional way or Western-style with the surname trailing. And apostrophes in names are also pretty common (e.g. O’Connor). But who the hell has a comma in their name?
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 8:33 pm rating: 7
- #5.5 DT35
  
  A colleague was struggling to figure out how to pronounce a new client’s name that was spelled La–ah. When he tried something like “Layah,” she told him contemptuously that he was stupid for assuming the punctuation was silent, and that anyone should know her name is pronounced “La Dash Ah.”
  
  Jul 22, 2010 at 12:27 pm rating: 9
- #5.6 Ladasha
  
  DT35, I have heard that story in numerous incarnations… the maternity nurse, the teacher, the employer, all trying to figure out to pronounce La-ah. I doubt there are a hundred La-ahs running around, just a bunch of people all claiming one silly story.
  
  Jul 23, 2010 at 10:55 pm rating: 1
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#6 shwonline

Please don’t engage in Random Capitalization of words like “Company”, “Lemonade” and “Stand.”

Jul 19, 2010 at 9:26 pm rating: 43

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- #6.1 Nack
  
  Or contract a word!
  
  Jul 19, 2010 at 11:27 pm rating: 1
- #6.2 park rose
  
  Sage advice, Nack. Contracting a word always ends in bloodshed.
  
  Jul 19, 2010 at 11:40 pm rating: 6
- #6.3 Froget menot
  
  aye ‘aye’ sir !
  
  http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Apostrophes
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 1:17 am rating: 1
- #6.4 Woman on the Verge
  
  Yes, rose. Contracting a word ends in bloodshed… or a two week course of antibiotics.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 3:42 pm rating: 2
- #6.5 shaniatwainHAY
  
  Does induced contracting mean there will be blood? I drink your milkshake.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 5:40 pm rating: 1
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#7 Vin¢

I am.

Jul 19, 2010 at 9:27 pm rating: 1

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- #7.1 Canthz_B
  
  Hello, Am!!
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 9:03 am rating: 1
- #7.2 infant tyrone
  
  Hey, where’s Sam ?
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 10:07 am rating: 2
- #7.3 The Elf
  
  He got sick from those green eggs and ham. That’s what happens when you steal from the company fridge. It was not fucking delicious.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 10:44 am rating: 9
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#8 H for Toy

Maybe Commas-Ok is a hyphenated last name, and he’s using it as an example of what not to do. As in “Eustacia Commas-Ok should be listed as Eustacia Commas Ok. Thank you.”

Jul 19, 2010 at 9:27 pm rating: 13

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#9 Risha

But what if the customer’s name has an apostrophe in it? I think that D’artagnan might have something to say about this rule.

Jul 19, 2010 at 9:34 pm rating: 35

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- #9.1 H for Toy
  
  As much as I hate to stick up for a controlling twat like JS, I think that’s the point. With no apostrophe(‘)s, it’s much easier to look up Naggy O’Naggington in the computer when you aren’t sure if it’s spelled O’Naggington or O. Naggington or Onagginton.
  
  Jul 19, 2010 at 9:51 pm rating: 4
- #9.2 park rose
  
  All for one and one for all! Athos, Porthos, and Aramis might agree with you, Risha, though I’m not sure what Bryan Adams, Rod Stewart and Sting would have to say. Sting, after all, doesn’t even have a surname. I am curious, though, as to which names have commas in them?
  
  Jul 19, 2010 at 11:17 pm rating: 9
- #9.3 Nack
  
  My real name has an apostrophe. It is constantly left out when people write or type my name. And now I can be discriminated against at this store too! Boohoo! WHAT ABOUT MY NEEDS?!!
  
  (Sarcasm font off)
  
  Jul 19, 2010 at 11:28 pm rating: 13
- #9.4 AuntyBron
  
  Park,
  I suspect the comma would be used thusly:
  John Smith, Jr or some such.
  
  Jul 19, 2010 at 11:55 pm rating: 8
- #9.5 infant tyrone
  
  rose,
  I think Sting and Sade would have to Cher and Cher alike.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 10:09 am rating: 8
- #9.6 HandyMarigolds
  
  Thanks, Park. That effing song will now be stuck in my head for the rest of the day.
  
  Nothin’ but love for those fellas, of course. But singing together somehow makes them sound like they’re taking turns throwing up.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 10:18 am rating: 2
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#10 aaa

If they’re a Fortune 500 company, I’m sure they could also afford some higher quality paper for their passive aggressive signs.

Jul 19, 2010 at 9:54 pm rating: 24

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- #10.1 Kay
  
  Or get a tidy little sign made instead of taping a piece of paper to the door.
  
  Jul 19, 2010 at 10:13 pm rating: 11
- #10.2 Froget menot
  
  Looking more like a Vicodin 500 comp’ny to me !
  and If life gives you lemons …you have them expelled?
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 2:14 am rating: 1
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#11 Jonathan

Don’t they teach kids to use bound parameters in SQL anymore?

Jul 19, 2010 at 9:59 pm rating: 9

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#12 FeRD

Uh-oh. I smell trouble. There’s every indication this situation is headed for a rapid descent into classic no-win scenario territory.

After all, if the employees follow J.S.’s advice, and “leave out” all those apostrophes and symbols, where do you think they’re going to leave them? Scattered all over their desks… and once those fill up, in the breakroom and other common areas!

Then we’ll just be right back where we started, with more seething notes about employees not cleaning up tables and clutter being left on counters!

I’m telling you, that company should just accept the inevitable, and change its name to Kobayashi Maru, Inc.

They will be needing a new logo, tho — maybe something in a nice Comic Sans?

Jul 19, 2010 at 11:07 pm rating: 14

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- #12.1 Meesh
  
  Is the breakroom the Klingon Neutral Zone in this scenario?
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 7:43 am rating: 7
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#13 park rose

I want to thumb the pink note/rebuttal a thousand times.

Jul 19, 2010 at 11:19 pm rating: 12

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- #13.1 Woman on the Verge
  
  I want to thumb you a thousand times, rose. But that’s how I roll.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 3:52 pm rating: 4
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#14 TippingCows

I’d leave a copy of Eats, Shoots, and Leaves on the desk of JS just to punctuate that pink note.

Jul 20, 2010 at 1:10 am rating: 13

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- #14.1 Canthz_B
  
  Please do not use Oxford commas. There is a worldwide comma shortage, so why waste them (as I do so often) ?
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 3:48 am rating: 4
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#15 lizzy

I prefer Comic Sans to Helvetica.

Jul 20, 2010 at 1:53 am rating: 5

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- #15.1 Splint Chesthair
  
  They should get that commie typeface off our money!
  
  http://gethelveticaoffourmoney.com/
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 9:22 am rating: 3
- #15.2 mamason
  
  Helvetica is my least favorite of all the processed cheese flavored foods.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 11:14 am rating: 8
- #15.3 Woman on the Verge
  
  Helvetica. Is that Hellboy’s girlfriend?
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 3:53 pm rating: 3
- #15.4 Xenobiologista
  
  You have GOT to be kidding me. Is that really the new $100? I used to complain about how American money was all the same color but after seeing the hideous wreck that is the new $20, hiring a colourblind and brain-damaged designer is not the way to fix it.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 8:41 pm rating: 0
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#16 J

Even the creator of Comic Sans seems to have a love/hate relationship with his typographic spawn.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123992364819927171.html?mod=yhoofront

Jul 20, 2010 at 3:06 am rating: 6

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- #16.1 Splint Chesthair
  
  Makes perfect sense, typeface conveys an attitude, Comic Sans is good for what it was intended for, not so good for professional documents or published letters.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 9:25 am rating: 2
- #16.2 HandyMarigolds
  
  Much as I hate reading a memorandum that looks like the closing credits of The Simpsons, it’s still better than Kristen ITC and the other “Look, it’s like my kindergartener did this in crayon!” fonts.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 10:24 am rating: 4
- #16.3 Xenobiologista
  
  Comic Sans is exactly what it says on the tin. You’ve got to be a moron to think it’s good for anything serious. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ExactlyWhatItSaysOnTheTin
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 8:38 pm rating: 2
- #16.4 WMDKitty
  
  +1 for the TV Tropes link alone!
  
  Jul 22, 2010 at 1:19 am rating: 0
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#17 Meesh

Aw man, no fair! Washington State gets to have all the fun militias.

Jul 20, 2010 at 7:49 am rating: 4

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- #17.1 PFJ-WA
  
  You can still join, Meesh! We’re actually a long-distance affiliate ourselves, of the Punctuators’ Front of Judaea. And we’re always looking for new members… we lose a few to LOLcat-induced aneurysm every week.
  
  But you have to ~really~ hate the Times Romans.
  
  Jul 29, 2010 at 3:29 pm rating: 0
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#18 Splint Chesthair

I like to use “Freestyle Script” because it makes people think you sent them a handwritten note and that you have perfect and uniform penmanship and are therefore better than they.

Jul 20, 2010 at 9:17 am rating: 8

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- #18.1 HandyMarigolds
  
  No one would buy that who knew my handwriting. Where’s 14-point Dysgraphia Serif when you need it?
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 10:29 am rating: 6
- #18.2 WMDKitty
  
  Same with my handwriting — there’s a REASON I type, folks!
  
  Jul 22, 2010 at 1:20 am rating: 0
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#19 Spencer Delarosa

Does it STILL make one instantly trendy to criticize comic sans? I thought that fad was over 5 years ago.

Jul 20, 2010 at 9:34 am rating: 8

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- #19.1 The Elf
  
  It’ll be over when they stop using Comic Sans. Until then, we struggle on.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 10:03 am rating: 12
- #19.2 mamason
  
  Can someone please explain why everyone hates Comic Sans?
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 11:18 am rating: 1
- #19.3 park rose
  
  Because it’s sans the comic?*
  
  *I don’t know.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 11:50 am rating: 4
- #19.4 HandyMarigolds
  
  @mamason, it’s because we’re tired of alleged professionals using it in business contexts.
  
  In particular, publishing an office memo in Comic Sans is an indication that the writer expects (1) to be seen as “whimsical and fun,” and (2) to be taken seriously. It accomplishes neither.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 12:47 pm rating: 3
- #19.5 mamason
  
  Well, I’m going to take a bold stand, out on a limb and announce to the world once and for all…
  
  I LIKE COMIC SANS!
  
  There. I said it and I’m not sorry. I also like french fries dipped in ice cream and can eat an entire box of Jell-o instant pudding in one sitting. Judge me if you will. That is all.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 1:09 pm rating: 4
- #19.6 Meesh
  
  Well, I like Papyrus and putting potato chips on my sandwiches, so we’re both social pariahs.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 2:04 pm rating: 4
- #19.7 oi
  
  I thought I covered this in last comic sans bashing post.
  Hang on will fetch that for ya..
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 3:07 pm rating: 0
- #19.8 DensityDuck
  
  “hating comic sans” is the new “hating All Your Base”.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 3:50 pm rating: 3
- #19.9 Woman on the Verge
  
  I’m in for Fritos and green grapes.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 3:55 pm rating: 1
- #19.10 oi
  
  oh here it is.
  http://www.passiveaggressivenotes.com/2010/03/30/completely-valid-rebuttals/#comment-351279
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 5:01 pm rating: 0
- #19.11 eslinger
  
  I’m with mamason on this. I, too, like all those things she mentioned. Yum!
  
  P.S. – Comic Sans is fucking delicious. Take that, hipsters!
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 10:00 pm rating: 1
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#20 kiff

If this is how we can get back at Ke$ha, I’m all for it.

Jul 20, 2010 at 10:11 am rating: 19

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- #20.1 eslinger
  
  If I could thumb this comment more than once, I’d thumb it thirty-seven times. In a row.
  
  I have a No Ke$ha Rule in my car. I also have the same rules for John Mayer, Justin Bieber, and Owl City. Hates them, preciousssss.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 10:03 pm rating: 2
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#21 bigyaz

The first few comments? Kind of funny. After that, the humor just becomes strained and totally unfunny.

What’s wrong with just enjoying the post? Do you all feel the need to comment, even when you have nothing witty or interesting to say?

Jul 20, 2010 at 11:44 am rating: 3

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- #21.1 park rose
  
  I was just going to enjoy this comment, but the question marks were delicious, so sweet, and so cold. Forgive me.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 11:55 am rating: 9
- #21.2 HandyMarigolds
  
  Do you all feel the need to comment, even when you have nothing witty or interesting to say?
  
  You tell us.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 12:49 pm rating: 17
- #21.3 mamason
  
  What’s wrong with just enjoying the post?
  
  If that’s what you want to do, then have at it. Is Kerry there, holding a gun to your big fat empty head, forcing you to read these comments that leave you so unamused? Hmm?
  
  Seriously, is Kerry there with a gun? She forgot her meds today and that never bodes well.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 1:04 pm rating: 13
- #21.4 Mo®
  
  I am sorry I didn’t read your comment because I was “enjoying” the post.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 2:04 pm rating: 7
- #21.5 Splint Chesthair
  
  Don’t you actually have to click something to read the comments?
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 2:14 pm rating: 5
- #21.6 oi
  
  Mo, You should not be “enjoying” post. That is not very decent. Let “me” tell you what you should “enjoy”…
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 3:02 pm rating: 2
- #21.7 Froget menot
  
  Hi, my name is @ and i m an unwitty and uninteresting commentaholic…
  
  i started to comment at 15 , fell into a persistent comma soon followed by an accentuated fall in apostrophic pressure……
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 6:44 pm rating: 5
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#22 Stephanie

http://www.mcsweeneys.net/links/monologues/15comicsans.html

The funniest thing about the comic sans debate that I have ever read.

Jul 20, 2010 at 1:14 pm rating: 4

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#23 TheAngryMongoose

Someone uses triple exclamation marks twice in a row, and someone complains about the FONT!?

Even if they were using bloody IMPACT the exclamations would still be the stupidest thing there!!!

Jul 20, 2010 at 1:19 pm rating: 3

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- #23.1 mamason
  
  Wow!!! You really are angry!!!
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 2:30 pm rating: 0
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#24 Woman on the Verge

What the fuck is this? It’s getting annoying.

Jul 20, 2010 at 3:56 pm rating: 0

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#25 Woman on the Verge

Cut that shit out.

Jul 20, 2010 at 3:58 pm rating: 0

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#26 dave

The first NW should take has his own advise first. he has unnecessary apostrophe in the word apostrophes.

Jul 20, 2010 at 5:04 pm rating: 2

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- #26.1 park rose
  
  Yet, I have to give him kudos for deciding to use symbol over its close cousin, cymbal, as mentioned in 5.1. Tricky things, homophones and near-homophones.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 5:13 pm rating: 1
- #26.2 mamason
  
  Well said, Dave.
  
  Tricky things, homophones… not that there’s anything wrong with that.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 5:45 pm rating: 1
- #26.3 dave
  
  alright. alright. it was suppose to be advice. I got it.
  Here by I predict a law. If you chastise someone for improper grammar, you, yourself will make a grammatical mistake in next five minutes. It’s inevitable.It’s called Dave’s Law.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 6:04 pm rating: 7
- #26.4 park rose
  
  Yup. Karma’s a bitch that way Happens to all of us. Leaves me wondering what the comeuppance for being a supercilious twat (referring to myself here) will be.
  
  Jul 20, 2010 at 8:31 pm rating: 2
- #26.5 wright1
  
  Here’s a classic from claw71 (we miss you, claw!!):
  
  “Grammar is like old dynamite: it’s fun to blow shit up but eventually you drop a stick and send your own ass to kingdom come.”
  
  Jul 21, 2010 at 2:49 am rating: 3
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#27 bob loblaw

your so right. i see these grammatical errors alot.

Jul 20, 2010 at 9:46 pm rating: 1

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#28 Please Don’t Use Comic Sans

[...] A lesson in corporate typography, as seen on Passive Agressive Notes. [...]

Jul 21, 2010 at 10:35 am rating: 0

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#29 AJ

Comic Slab?
http://ajmaher.posterous.com/comic-slabfor-the-casual-professional

Jul 21, 2010 at 1:03 pm rating: 0

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#30 Rob

I am sure they don’t want symbols in the name because the program they are using will crash/something else bad.

Jul 22, 2010 at 7:57 am rating: 0

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#31 Alex K

… removing comic sans from next company windows build…

Jul 26, 2010 at 9:22 am rating: 0

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#32 Quick - Xchange Links

Why Location-Based Social Media Needs to Get “Passive” Aggressive – Mashable!…

I found your entry interesting thus I’ve added a Trackback to it on my weblog …

Aug 17, 2010 at 6:23 am rating: 0

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#33 “A simple pledge.” « Daily Design Idea

[...] in the workplace (though apparently “excessive exclamation points” are ok, one PassiveAgressiveNotes.com reader facetiously pointed [...]

Aug 27, 2010 at 12:54 pm rating: 0

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