Friends Don't Let Friends Air Quote

As part of the rigorous training we give our students here at The King's College in the use of the written and spoken word, I forbid my students to use "air quotes." I hasten to point out that air quotes have their place if one knows how to use them on select occasions for dramatic effect. But their overuse is annoying and lame.

Worse still is the tortured formation of air quotes. Some people air quote in a way that resembles the useless little arms of a Tyrannosaurus Rex. It's really quite embarrassing.

Here is a tutorial that you or a friend might find helpful.



While we're on the subject, here is funny scene from Friends in which Joey embarrasses himself on account of his air quote ignorance.



Don't let this happen to you.

And of course I have a post brewing on "like."