The following is taken from The Language Instinct, by Steven Pinker.
My dad, a big reader and a language freak like myself, suggested the book to me while I was home for Christmas. He loaded me down with language books, and I couldn't be more grateful. The Language Instinct is well written and easy to follow, while still remaining academic and informative. Hang on though, I am only halfway through; I don't feel qualified to give my official opinion just yet.
I do, however, want to share with you these goofs I found funny, actually taken from newspapers. They can be read two ways. It's a miracle to me the editors didn't see the second possible meanings:
- Yoko Ono will talk about her husband John Lennon who was killed in an interview with Barbara Walters.
- Two cars were reported stolent by the Groveton police yesterday
- Tonight's program discusses stress, exercise, nutrition, and sex with Celtic forward Scott Wedman, Dr. Ruth Westheimer, and Dick Cavett.
OR some headlines:
- New Housing for Elderly Not Yet Dead
- Chou Remains Cremated
- Hershey Bars Protest
- Complaints About NBA Referees Growing Ugly
- Reagan Wins on Budget, But More Lies Ahead