About

Proof (v.)

As a self-confessed pedant, that’s my advice.

Proof?

As Alexander Pope never said: To err is human; to proof, less common. Everyone makes mistakes, but not everyone likes to correct them. This is why the world needs eagle-eyed, word-loving, nitpicking perfectionists, and why I aspire to be one of them.

So welcome to Proof (v.), a blog for making a fuss about punctuation, grammar and spelling; for rambling about etymology and gushing over nice typeface (Helvetica mainly); for admiring inspirational use of the English language and singing along with obscurely pleasant songs; for finding tidbits of ‘interesting’ in the deluge of boring news; and for generally enjoying the fine-print of the world through the magnifying eyes of a pedant.

The Proofreader

I am Olivia McDowell and I am a proofreading pedant, a word nerd, a grammar geek. I throw down newspapers in a typo-induced frenzy, and embargo products on the basis of incorrectly punctuated packaging.

I like these little linguistic mistakes — my own, and those of others. Poor grammar, errant punctuation, incorrect spelling and obscure syntax are grist to the editorial mill, fodder to the pedant’s blog. They keep eagle-eyes alert, and the meticulous on their toes.

Proof of Liv

I am four years into an undergraduate Journalism/Law degree at UTS. I have contributed to Nomenclature, and edited Precinct (as a newspaper, and as a magazine). Après school, I write features for Specifier Magazine and dabble in editing for specifier.com.au. I have a nascent bookmarks on del.icio.us, a rather neglected twitter, and like to share my pedant’s-eye view of the world on flickr. I also have an unquenchable daily passion for ashtanga yoga.