The Pedants' Society

Official Positions

The Society maintains a Compendium of Official Positions on matters of language and conduct, accumulated continuously since 1847. The Compendium is at present being digitised for public reference. The work is undertaken by a single Fellow of advanced years who types with one finger, and proceeds at the pace such a method permits.

A small selection from the present working file is reproduced below, in the order the typist reached them. Further positions will appear as they are committed to the digital record.

The Pedants' Society · Official Position · Tabled 1962 · Reaffirmed 1998

On the Express Lane Travesty

The Society maintains that the most visible, systemic failure of the English language occurs at the supermarket checkout.

"10 Items or Less."

The Society issues the following ruling:

  • Groceries in a basket are countable nouns. The word is FEWER.
  • Supermarkets failing to observe this distinction are committing a grammatical assault against a captive audience.
  • Any Fellow who encounters a "10 Items or Less" sign is officially permitted to bring exactly 10 gallons of unbottled liquid milk to the counter, as liquid is uncountable and therefore legally qualifies for "less."

The Society refuses to purchase provisions from merchants who treat basic grammar as a discountable commodity.

The Pedants' Society · Official Position · Adopted 1862 · Reaffirmed 1934

On the Rationing of the Exclamation Mark

The Society holds that the exclamation mark is an emotional crutch used by those incapable of constructing a sentence with inherent structural urgency. A well-crafted sentence does not need to shout.

The exclamation mark is therefore formally restricted to the following scenarios:

  • To indicate the outbreak of a major international land war.
  • To alert a bystander to an incoming projectile or falling piano.
  • To denote a sudden, unexpected amputation.
  • Upon the sighting of a misplaced apostrophe on municipal signage.

Fellows are reminded that they are allotted three (3) exclamation marks per lifetime. Use them wisely.

(Exceptions will not be made for birthdays, engagements, or the receipt of a "funny" digital photograph.)

The Pedants' Society · Official Position · Last Reviewed 2019 · Under Continuing Surveillance

On the Recent Behaviour of the Dictionary

It has come to the Society's attention that several major dictionaries — including bodies we once considered allies — have amended their definition of the word "LITERALLY" to include its exact opposite: figuratively.

The Society issues the following clarification:

  • The dictionary has been compromised. We do not know who got to the editors, but they are no longer operating under their own volition.
  • Language evolves, but it does not surrender. The acceptance of a widespread error does not make it a rule; it makes it an epidemic.
  • Enforcement remains absolute. If you inform a Fellow of this Society that you "literally died laughing," we will require you to present a valid death certificate. If you cannot produce one, you will be asked to leave the premises.

The Society remains the final line of defence. We will not yield to the mob.

The Pedants' Society · Official Position · Tabled 1971 · Issued for Public Instruction

On the Mathematics of Apathy

The Society frequently encounters individuals expressing their supposed lack of interest during an argument by stating: "I could care less."

The Society wishes to present a brief lesson in deductive logic:

  • If you could care less, it mathematically dictates that you currently possess a non-zero level of care.
  • You are therefore actively admitting to being emotionally invested in the very topic you are attempting to dismiss.
  • The correct phrase is "I couldn't care less." It signifies absolute zero on the Kelvin scale of human interest.

Any Fellow hearing the incorrect phrase is instructed to respond: "I am so glad to hear you care. Let us discuss the matter further."

The Pedants' Society · Official Position · Reaffirmed 2003 · Posted to all Confederated Cafes

On the Tragedy of "Paninis"

The Society views the menus of high-street cafes not as lists of sustenance, but as crime scenes. The most egregious ongoing offence is the pluralization of the Italian loan-word panini.

The ruling is as follows:

  • In Italian, panino is singular (one sandwich).
  • Panini is already plural (multiple sandwiches).
  • Therefore, to order "two paninis" is to request two pluralities of sandwiches, whilst simultaneously demonstrating a catastrophic failure to grasp basic Romance language suffixes.

The same rule applies to biscotti and paparazzi. (You cannot be chased by a single paparazzi. You are chased by a paparazzo.)

If a cafe menu advertises "Paninis," the Society recommends eating elsewhere. If they cannot be trusted with a plural, they cannot be trusted with mayonnaise.

Further positions will appear as the typist reaches them. Fellows in possession of the printed Compendium are reminded that the digital record is, for the present, partial; the printed volumes remain authoritative.