It's FEWER, Dammit!

[sadlikeknives]

So, I went to Target today. They used to make me happy because their express lane signs read 'ten items or fewer' and grammatical correctness gives me a warm fuzzy feeling. But today, I got in line, and the sign said 'ten items or less'.

They changed it! It used to be correct and they changed it to be wrong! What the fuck is up with that?

So I said, in a weirdly heartbroken voice, to the cashier, "They changed it."
"Excuse me?"
"The sign. It should be fewer because the items are quantifiable. And it was fewer. But now it's less."
"I think it's been like that for a while."
"No, they changed it."

She then looked down at my purchases, and decided not to argue with me. Seeing as how my purchases included two boxes of tampons, a very large bag of dark chocolate M&Ms, and the last box of Midol in the goddamned store. I figure it must be Red Week in Tutwiler or something (Y'know how women who live together all get their periods at the same time? Multiply that over a thirteen-floor dormitory. Yeah.)

And why don't they sell these items in combo packs? I mean, really. Why has nobody jumped on this idea yet?

Wow, that was kind of rambly.

Comments

[jasminelily.livejournal.com]

At my local Longs, at the pharmacy, someone changed it by hand to say fewer. That cracked me up.

[vampychick.livejournal.com]

I like that person.

*attempts to attack and eat your icon*

[auroura76.livejournal.com]

Did you go to, *looks left, looks right* SUPER Target?

Also, I'm clearly not the Grammar Nazi I think I am, because "Ten Items or Less" looks prettier to me than the grammatically correct version. Can someone explain the rule to me?

I feel so dumb. *hangs head in shame*

[keenai.livejournal.com]

HA. I teach English and never paid it any attention.

Also "or Less" is shorter, and for that it wins.

<----lazy

[vampychick.livejournal.com]

You both make me very sad.

Keenai, if you want me to grill my creative writing instructor, I need to know what to ask him. And our last class is Monday. So, yeah. A list of questions or some general guidelines would be nice, because otherwise I'm going to stand there, scuff my foot, and say, "So, um, how's the graduate program?"

[keenai.livejournal.com]

I'm sorry. For making you sad, and for blanking on the questions.

How's the graduate program, what's the funding like, are you restricted to English courses, and anything else s/he may want to share.

Thanks again for asking, vamps. My brain has been filled with end of semester crap, and I keep forgetting to reply to my comments. You are swell.

[vampychick.livejournal.com]

And yes, it was the SuperTarget.

[auroura76.livejournal.com]

Ah. Didn't see that.

[vampychick.livejournal.com]

*pats*

[vampychick.livejournal.com]

You both make me sad.

If it can be quantified, it's 'fewer'. If it can't be precisely quantified, it's 'less'.

"I weigh less than I did last year."
"Nine is fewer than ten."

[auroura76.livejournal.com]

Yeah, that makes sense, but "Ten Items or Fewer" doesn't flow very well.

Also, you didn't tell me if you went to SUPER!Target or not.

[vampychick.livejournal.com]

But it's wrong. It's so, so wrong.

[auroura76.livejournal.com]

Meh.

[vampychick.livejournal.com]

You make me sad.

[auroura76.livejournal.com]

It's Friday. I can't be properly ashamed of my lack of grammar knowledge today.

If it makes you feel any better, I know the difference betwen "there," "they're" and "their"!

[auroura76.livejournal.com]

Can't be properly ashamed about my lack of grammar knowledge.

Sigh. Sometimes, I wonder why I even bother.

[auroura76.livejournal.com]

Wait, is it "of" or "about"? AHHH! You're making me doubt everything I write!

I hate you.

[vampychick.livejournal.com]

Mwahaha.

My work here is done.

[kopernik.livejournal.com]

I rant about the it's-fewer-not-less thing all the time. You are not alone!

[vampychick.livejournal.com]

Thank you, that makes me feel so much better.