Amanda's pet, Peeve

[Amy Z]

Amanda wrote:

>It's the use of double quotation
> marks as emphasis. Examples:
> 
> Come in and see our "quality" merchandise!
> "Everything" on sale!
> "Please" keep door shut.
> Etc.

> 
> Using it as emphasis, instead, just like bolding or underlining, 
thus
> edges into the ridiculous, if you take the quotes as being around
> something that's not really meant. [All "Ladies" Drink Free!
> All Sales "Guaranteed"!]
> 

Oh, this drives me crazy too!  Now THIS is what grammar is for, 
IMNSHO: to make meaning clearer.  When people ignore the rules, their 
meaning can be reversed--sometimes hilariously, as in "All 'Ladies' 
Drink Free!"

Amy Z
who ain't no lady