I saw this sign at a local car wash and it reminded me of Guest Blogger Kerie Trindle Byrne’s article “Is Good Grammar Old-Fashion or Old-Fashioned?” The sign is advertising what seems to be a valid service except I’m pretty sure they are advertising a gentleman with a stool and a polishing cloth, which is an “old-fashioned” shoe shine.
Driving down a main Phoenix street the other day and this caught my eye. Probably because a family member lives in Albuquerque so I actually use it more than usual and have to say it in my head by syllable to get it right, but obviously the sign painter for this local bus company didn’t pronounce the syllables correctly.
Copyright: vladru / 123RF Stock Photo
Since it’s the season of graduations, I thought it appropriate to talk about how to use academic degrees and professional designations.
Typically, abbreviations of academic degrees are written with periods after each element of the degree:
The term “MBA” is commonly written without periods when talking about an executive with certain training rather than the degree itself. The degree is still “M.B.A.” with the periods.
When using the degree as part of the name, do not use personal titles before the name and only use the degree when using a person’s full name:
However, other titles may precede the name when they do not convey the same meaning as the degree that follows the name:
When two or more academic degrees follow a name, they should be listed in the order they were awarded and honorary degrees should follow earned degrees.
Professional designations are generally written without periods when used alone, but with periods when used with academic degrees:
List professional designations only where one’s professional qualifications are relevant to the topic under discussion. I take this to mean that when you have worked hard to earn professional certifications, they should be used whenever you are representing your profession.
This is particularly appropriate as we have a heat advisory here in Phoenix for tomorrow and they expect it to be near record heat at 111. THAT is stinky weather!
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