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Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies: A Guide To Language For Fun & Spite Audiobook
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(3.06) - 416 listener ratings
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Here's some good news for everyone who's ever been bullied into believing they can't speak their own language: The grammar snobs are bluffing. Half the "rules" they use to humiliate others are really just judgment calls and the rest they don't even understand themselves. Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies is a laugh-out-loud funny collection of anecdotes and essays on grammar and punctuation, as well as hilarious critiques of the self-appointed language experts.
In this collection of hilarious anecdotes and essays, June Casagrande delivers practical language lessons not found anywhere else, demystifying the subject and taking it back from the snobs.
"Casagrande brings a lively approach to her overview of basic grammar."—Booklist
"...Fraser's reading is robust and articulate, and it fully captures Casagrande's sense of humor and witty repartee. Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies is an excellent and entertaining way of learning, or simply reviewing, the fundamentals of English grammar and punctuation."—Reviewed by Auggie Moore, Large Print Reviews
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"OK, so, yes, this is a grammar book. Author June Casagrande covers pronoun agreement, commas, and lots of common errors. But (yes, it is okay to start a sentence with "but") this author is unique in her approach. She is funny (though, after a while, the "outsider" shtick gets a little old). Even better than that, Casagrande overviews the opinions of the major grammar and usage bibles on all the key issues of the day. In doing so, Casagrande makes clear just how unclear modern English grammar is. Too many of the "rules" are, ultimately, unknowable, because it always depends on which guide you consult and which format you are writing for (yes, it is also okay to end a sentence in a preposition). For a grammar snob, this book is a great ego check; for a grammar novice, there is comfort in the reality that even the experts can't seem to agree. Although I may never read this book cover to cover again, I will certainly file it next to Fowler's and the Chicago Style Manual and the MLA guide....It's easy to look something up, to find out what all those others will say, and maybe get a chuckle in the process."
— Kelly (5 out of 5 stars)
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“Hoping to make grammar both accessible and amusing, Casagrande offers practical and entertaining lessons on common uses and unfortunate abuses of the English language…In brief, cleverly titled sections, she addresses a slew of grammar and punctuation questions…She maintains her sass and her sense of humor throughout…Readers intimidated by style manuals and Lynne Truss will enjoy this populist grammar reference.”
— Publishers Weekly -
“Through the delightful voice of Shelly Frasier, author Casagrande gives listeners a set of arrows with which to pierce the grammar snobs’ inflated sense of self-importance, using liberal doses of humor. Thanks to Frasier’s sharp comic timing, you’ll get the full effect of the author’s self-effacing exposé of grammatical crime—and be relieved to know most of the mistakes you’ve been accused of making are usually misdemeanors. Becoming aware of the vast gray zone of usage makes the English language a friendlier place.”
— AudioFile -
“Casagrande brings a lively approach to her overview of basic grammar…Both sassy and edifying, Casagrande’s little tome will be especially useful to those in search of basic grammar instruction.”
— Booklist
Grammar Snobs Are Great Big Meanies Listener Reviews
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" entertaining for those who have mastered English grammar, not recommended for those who have not "
— Kenzie, 1/22/2014 -
" Although there were places in this book that were quite funny, mostly it seemed like an open letter, cutting down to size anyone who has dared to correct the author of her use in punctuation, spelling, and word choice. As annoying and smug as some grammarians can be, I believe it is just as annoying smug to write a whole book on their smugness, generalizing a whole group of people, and occasionally throwing in a useful rule and some humor. She lost me when she tried to tie, no matter how loosely, smug grammarians with political leanings. It made me look at the rest of the book as being nothing but degrading nonsense and drivel. "
— Amy, 1/13/2014 -
" Damn funny book and oh so true! "
— Akarana, 1/12/2014 -
" I will have to disagree with most reviewers as I found this book funny and I did not mind the commentary on grammar snobs - as I thought that was kind of the point of the book given the title. I am not a details person and grammar is often lost on me, but I do have friends that are more than willing to point out my errors. I took great pleasure in knowing the discord on the rules, validating some of what I knew and learning a few tidbits on the way. A fun read! "
— Renee, 12/24/2013 -
" A friend just gave me a boatload of encouraging writing books. I could cry. Ask if you want to borrow any. "
— Cynthia, 11/28/2013 -
" Through chapter 24. I learned a few things, but what I'll remember more is why I thought those things weren't important to know in the first place--usage and mechanics issues are so inconsequential that I feel ill even being exposed to discussion of them. "
— Aaron, 11/14/2013 -
" Grammar Snobs kind of meandered and wasn't as funny as Mortal Syntax, which is by the same author. I recommend the latter. "
— Emily, 4/17/2013 -
" Loved this book! So funny! "
— Margaret, 2/12/2013 -
" Loved it! It was funny and informative at the same time. I learned a lot and I laughed a lot, although or even because I myself am one of those aforementioned grammar snobs. "
— Julia, 1/17/2013 -
" The book is everything it promises an more. I simply cannot imagine a more hilarious and effective method of learning it's readers grammer and language skillz. "
— Karl, 11/22/2012 -
" I'm a sucker for language guides. I thought that the title was tongue-in-cheek and that this would be directed at grammar snobs like me. It wasn't. But it was still both entertaining and useful; what more could one ask? "
— Cheryl, 10/11/2012 -
" This book was okay, but I didn't finish it. Definitely better than Eats Shoots and Leaves. "
— Tracy, 8/22/2012 -
" Cheeky and subversive. Very fun. "
— Lane, 6/17/2012 -
" The most entertaining book I have read on grammar. "
— Nathan, 3/26/2012 -
" A very fun read. I enjoy grammar books, especially ones that treat the subject with some humor. Read Strunk and White, then read this. "
— Joe, 11/26/2011 -
" I found Mortal Syntax to be a little more enlightening for me, but if you already know some basic things about grammar, you might find this book enlightening and entertaining. It makes you realize that grammar meanies don't always know what they're talking about. "
— Kirstie, 11/22/2011 -
" Just as helpful and more funny than Eats, Shoots and Leaves; as well as Lapsing Into a Comma. "
— Gina, 10/31/2011 -
" I agree with her a lot in principle, but not being the sort who enjoys crass humor, parts of it rubbed me the wrong way. The same kind of sarcasm gets old quickly. "
— Saralyn, 5/2/2011 -
" A surprisingly readable book that will go over well with anyone who has ever run across a snotty self-appointed member of the Grammar Police. "
— Donna, 4/10/2011 -
" The book is everything it promises an more. I simply cannot imagine a more hilarious and effective method of learning it's readers grammer and language skillz. "
— Karl, 2/24/2011 -
" Loved it! It was funny and informative at the same time. I learned a lot and I laughed a lot, although or even because I myself am one of those aforementioned grammar snobs. "
— Julia, 2/17/2011 -
" The most entertaining book I have read on grammar. "
— Nathan, 1/31/2011 -
" I found Mortal Syntax to be a little more enlightening for me, but if you already know some basic things about grammar, you might find this book enlightening and entertaining. It makes you realize that grammar meanies don't always know what they're talking about. "
— Kirstie, 1/5/2011 -
" As grammar books go, this was such a witty, resourceful book. "
— Marina, 5/24/2010 -
" I'm a sucker for language guides. I thought that the title was tongue-in-cheek and that this would be directed at grammar snobs like me. It wasn't. But it was still both entertaining and useful; what more could one ask? "
— Cheryl, 3/26/2010 -
" Just as helpful and more funny than Eats, Shoots and Leaves; as well as Lapsing Into a Comma. "
— Gina, 3/12/2010 -
" A friend just gave me a boatload of encouraging writing books. I could cry. Ask if you want to borrow any. "
— Cynthia, 1/24/2010 -
" Come on in and watch June kick butt all over the Grammar Police! <br/> <br/>I love this book!!!! "
— George, 11/12/2009
About June Casagrande
June Casagrande writes the popular and very humorous “A Word, Please” grammar column for four Los Angeles Times community newspapers. She has written over nine hundred articles for various newspapers and magazines and has four years of improvisational comedy training.
About Shelly Frasier
Shelly Frasier has appeared in many independent film and theater projects in Arizona and Southern California and has done voice-over work for commercials and animation projects. She trained at the Groundlings Improv School in Hollywood and South Coast Repertory’s Professional Conservatory in Costa Mesa, California. She has performed at theaters throughout North Hollywood and Orange County.