Re: The Pedant's Revolt
Posted: Sun May 03, 2009 9:12 pm
An exciting Saturday!
My son Henry has completed five weeks of his initial Army training, and my current husband and I were summoned to Family Day at the barracks to visit and take out the SUT (Soldier Under Training) for the day.
Hey, how I have missed the boy about the place - tripping over the kicked-off shoes, large as canoes - following the trail of mugs, plates and crisp packets - inhaling the delicious aroma of his bedroom whilst attempting to find a piece of floor on which to crouch for the dubious privilege of fishing out the most worn undergarments for cleansing!
I was welling up and sniffing into a paper hanky within two miles of the barracks, as I clutched the carefully packed squidgy chocolate cake that I hoped would be received with Henry's customary enthusiasm. After an official greeting from Sargeant Edwards we were all allowed to mill into the living quarters to find our precious offspring. and there, doing "stand-by-your-bed", was Private Woodford, tall, handsome and splendid in combats, looking incredibly fit and well. So far he has loved the whole challenging set-up; has thrived on the arduous routine and holds various top marks in firing some ferocious weapon from a) lunging? b) sitting? and c) standing on one leg with crossed fingers. Or whatever.
And now (at last) we come to the Pedantic bit. All over the walls were lists and reminders of what the soldier should do in various perilous situations! I studied carefully an entire wall display on what to do when Engaging With The Enemy.
"SUPRESS THE ENEMY!"
Well, honestly. I felt the black felt-tip leap in my bag with its customary corrective zeal. The black felt-tip which has served me so well at noticeboards, on menus, and, above all, upon greengrocers' labelling attempts.
But I just couldn't do it.
It was my turn to have my careworn hand mangled in the crushing grasps of Sergeant Edwards and Corporal Milligan. My mouth opened to say "Just one point, gentlemen... there are two "p"s in "SUPPRESS"". But I just couldn't say it. My mouth opened and closed. Would I be condemning my son to fury, ridicule and some terrible corrective revenge? I heard myself babbling ".... very proud... most impressed.... doing well?....". Oh, alas for my spelling pedantry!
"SUPRESS". It's tormenting me still.
My son Henry has completed five weeks of his initial Army training, and my current husband and I were summoned to Family Day at the barracks to visit and take out the SUT (Soldier Under Training) for the day.
Hey, how I have missed the boy about the place - tripping over the kicked-off shoes, large as canoes - following the trail of mugs, plates and crisp packets - inhaling the delicious aroma of his bedroom whilst attempting to find a piece of floor on which to crouch for the dubious privilege of fishing out the most worn undergarments for cleansing!
I was welling up and sniffing into a paper hanky within two miles of the barracks, as I clutched the carefully packed squidgy chocolate cake that I hoped would be received with Henry's customary enthusiasm. After an official greeting from Sargeant Edwards we were all allowed to mill into the living quarters to find our precious offspring. and there, doing "stand-by-your-bed", was Private Woodford, tall, handsome and splendid in combats, looking incredibly fit and well. So far he has loved the whole challenging set-up; has thrived on the arduous routine and holds various top marks in firing some ferocious weapon from a) lunging? b) sitting? and c) standing on one leg with crossed fingers. Or whatever.
And now (at last) we come to the Pedantic bit. All over the walls were lists and reminders of what the soldier should do in various perilous situations! I studied carefully an entire wall display on what to do when Engaging With The Enemy.
"SUPRESS THE ENEMY!"
Well, honestly. I felt the black felt-tip leap in my bag with its customary corrective zeal. The black felt-tip which has served me so well at noticeboards, on menus, and, above all, upon greengrocers' labelling attempts.
But I just couldn't do it.
It was my turn to have my careworn hand mangled in the crushing grasps of Sergeant Edwards and Corporal Milligan. My mouth opened to say "Just one point, gentlemen... there are two "p"s in "SUPPRESS"". But I just couldn't say it. My mouth opened and closed. Would I be condemning my son to fury, ridicule and some terrible corrective revenge? I heard myself babbling ".... very proud... most impressed.... doing well?....". Oh, alas for my spelling pedantry!
"SUPRESS". It's tormenting me still.
