Excuse me while I vent

OK, I realize that this here web thing is all about the dissemination of information, preferably quickly, and I realize that its fluid and immediate nature tends to mean that people aren't often able to edit (or have edited) things they write as much as, say, a novel or a term paper might be. Those of you who pay attention to user comments here on the Chronicles will know that I'm no champion editor, either, as my big bro has had to correct some of my more glaring boo-boos from time to time. So I think we can all stand to be more forgiving of grammar mistakes and typos on the Internet than we might otherwise be inclined to be. Besides, people who make a big deal of complaining about and/or correcting the grammar of others generally -- not to put too fine a point on it -- annoy the ass out of people.

However, I can't keep quiet about this one any longer or I might explode, and that would be quite messy. There's one recurring mistake in particular that I've been noticing at an ever-increasing rate that has me wondering if it's a mistake or just an example of widespread ignorance. I used to see it every now and then and just chalk it up to the whole lack of editing I mentioned above. However, I can't recall the last time I saw it used correctly, and it's used way more than I would have thought. What I'm talking about here is the difference between "compliment" and "complement." The former has to do with goodness (praise, good wishes, etc.). The latter has to do with completeness. (There are other meanings, but they aren't the ones that are confused.) I'm sure you know this. You're very smart. But I wish that you would inform the people who write things I read on the web (read: sportswriters), because they don't have a clue.

The most recent example (that made me write this post) was talking some smack about the Pittsburgh Steelers' punter, Chris Gardocki. It said, "He entered Week 14 last in the AFC in net punting average — which is also no complement to the team’s punt-coverage team." I think it's no compliment to anyone. Not to Gardocki, not to the punt-coverage team, and certainly not to the writer. Come to think of it, not to me, either, as I just can't let things go. I think I have a problem.

Apparently, I'm not the only one who has noticed this general state of confusion.

OK. I'm done. Thanks for letting me vent. You may now return to your normal, hopefully less picayune lives.