terrifying process known as a book tour. I’m a first-time author on a
very controversial subject—grammar snobbery—just beginning to
realize I’m in way over my head.
The radio show host wants to know my thoughts on all those people out there who don’t
even try to use or to learn proper grammar.
Everything about my host tells me that he is, by nature, a democratic and diplomatic kind guy. But between the lines I think I catch the scent of something else—the passion of the people who see my grammar column in their local newspapers and send me e-mails sayin “As a fellow grammar and usage Nazi …” or, “Keep fighting against abuse of the language!
In my columns, I don’t fight abuse at all. I don’t bemoan others’ crimes against English orabout how it’s going into the crapper. I’m not a grammar or usage Nazi. I’m not a snob, a
snoot or even a stickler. I’m not “fellow” anything to them at all. Just because I write a coloffering help to people who want to use better English doesn’t mean that I would impose
good grammar on others.
Short of coughing and fanning the air in the presence of a cigarette smoker, grammar provides the easiest way for an American to get off on and get away with looking down on others.
About the Author
June Casagrande was born in March and lives in a small house.
She worked as an editor and community news reporter before launching the self-syndicated weekly
grammar column, “A Word Please,” which appears in community newspapers in Southern California,
Florida and Texas. She has written articles for a number of regional and national publications
including the Los Angeles Times.
June attended the University of South Florida, where she earned her bachelor’s degree. She attended
the improv comedy school at the renowned Groundlings Theatre, where she flunked out (much
tougher program). June lives in Pasadena, Calif., with an embarrassing number of cats (four) and a
just-right number of men (one).
Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies is her first book. She’s currently working on her second
Penguin grammar book, a look at the 101 most-criticized usage choices; the working title is
Mortal Syntax.
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