Caution! Typos Ahead …

Typographical errors or typos strike terror in the heart of everyone putting messages into the public sphere.

That applies equally to digital or print.

With 35 years of experience falling into proverbial elephant traps, we know they’re nothing to laugh about..

We also know that 99% of all typos are found AFTER printing, and I hope these amusing examples will raise a smile and … a reminder that potential banana skins are everywhere.

Anus sausages, anyone?

The label should have read Angus Beef Sausage, but you can’t unsee it once spotted.

This unfortunate graphic designer hadn’t spotted what auto-correct had done to the Hors d’Oeuvres.

 

Need one say more!

 

What a corker – or maybe it’s a baker’s dozen.

 

And this one from a store in Cwmbran, South Wales, where the words alcohol-free had been translated as Free Alcohol.

 

Despite the best will in the world, these little turds do manage to sneak in undercover to wreak havoc and embarrassment.

And this is how one newsletter editor got his retaliation in first.

We know some readers find a special and perverse pleasure in hunting down and bringing typographical errors to our attention. We aim to please as many of them as possible.

So here are our five top tips to keep shame at bay:

• Don’t mark your own homework. Get a fresh pair of eyes to check it over.
• Don’t proofread on screen. Print your document out wherever possible.
• Check telephone numbers by calling them. It works every time. Do the same with email and web addresses, too.
• Read aloud as you check.
• Use Tech: Leverage tools like spellcheckers and Grammarly, but always sense-check their suggestions.

Until next week.

Alec