Editor's Twitch

Editors unite! You have nothing to lose but your pencils!

   Editor's Twitch is what happens when you see writing from supposedly professional users of the language -- including grammar school teachers charged with educating your children -- that is so unwieldy that you suffer a nervous twitch and want to retaliate by editing and correcting the offensive phrasing and return it to the teacher and the principal.
   You know you have Editor's Twitch when you're compelled to edit and correct sale signs in department stores.
   You know you're in a stable relationship when your partner is no longer embarrassed when you do.

   Here's something for educators to remember: Assigning essays as a punishment is more than counterproductive, it's downright destructive, because it teaches students to hate writing.
   Educators are supposed to encourage love of writing, not inflict it as punishment.