Weird Al Yankovic is baaaack, with a song about grammar called “Word Crimes” – and it makes you want to dance? The music-based comedian who has made it impossible to hear numerous pop songs without thinking first of his parodies,is releasing a new album, “Mandatory Fun.” Al’s first release takes on Robin Thicke’s inescapable “Blurred Lines.” Yes, this is the one he performed with Miley Cyrus. Sorry for that memory – but I’ve got to tell you, I love this version!
You don’t have to be a grammarian to be amazed, shocked or demoralized at the devolution of the English language. Of course, the tool of destruction is in large part the necessary pruning of words to fit into 140 character slots. The mystery is why some frequent fliers of the tiny format carry their abbreviations and quirks over into the wide open spaces. It is the land where English 101 teachers dare not tread without smelling salts.
Thank goodness, Weird Al’s having none of it. We can stop our word crimes or get out of the gene pool – cuz Al’s got a big dictionary and he’s not afraid to use it!