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Anonymous comments: why we all need an escape goat

21 Sep 05:58am

Filed under: Escape Goats, Free Speech, Internet, Language, Media, Stupid

The headline is not a mistake. Escape goats exist - at least, they do in the comment threads of websites everywhere, including The Punch.*

Awesome.

The beauty of this term is that while being appallingly bad English usage in a narrow sense, it is a spectacular conceptual improvement on the very word it butchers. Who needs a scapegoat when you could have an escape goat?

I want an escape goat. Rather than resorting to blame any time there’s any sort of problem, just hop on this conveniently-positioned imaginary beast and ride off, leaving behind only the comical clatter of little hooves, and maybe a faint bleating sound. Baa.

Continue reading "Anonymous comments: why we all need an escape goat" »

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Nicole says:

11:03am | 23/09/10

Hahaha, Vicki that’s funny. I don’t like spelling competitions and I don’t like the spelling or grammar police. Hell, I can’t spell, that’s what my spell checker’s for (when it wants to work). But I reckon we might quit while I’m ahead, yes? Read more »
Vicki PS says:

11:12pm | 22/09/10

I didn’t mention it the first time to avoid embarrassing any of those well-known rellies of yours, Nicole, but you mis-spelled ‘crystal’. Or was that a bit of postmodern irony that whizzed past me? (P.S. I have been known to dribble in divers ways—age, you understand). Read more »

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