In GrammarBlog’s view, you can’t put a price on good spelling. But it seems some people do precisely that.

This has been brought to my attention by the opening scene of a new episode (’Black Swan’) from the fine seventh series of Curb Your Enthusiasm. Larry David visits his mother’s grave with his Dad and his cousin, only to find his Dad has had the headstone engraved with “PAST AWAY” in order to save money.

Unfortunately I can’t find a clip online, so this transcript will have to suffice:

Larry: This is mum’s grave? “Past away”? P-a-s-t? Dad, you spelled “passed” wrong. It’s not spelled p-a-s-t. “Passed away”: p-a-s-s-e-d!
Dad: I know how to spell it. It’s $50 a letter.
Larry: You spelled it wrong on purpose to save $100?
Dad: Yes. Why not? It’s the same meaning. Everyone knows what it means.
Cousin: It’s not the same meaning!
Larry: You saved $100? Well, I would have paid for it. Are you kidding?
Dad: Well, I didn’t ask you because I didn’t want to bother you. That was the whole idea.
Cousin: Honestly, this is not really the nicest way to honour your wife.
Larry: It’s insane! I’m sorry. I have to change this. You got the name of the stonemason?
Dad: Yes, I have the name of the stonemason.
Larry: I’m gonna change this. I’m gonna spell it the right way. And what about some blandishments on here? You know, how about “devoted wife” – some adjectives.
Cousin: “Beloved mother of Larry” would’ve been nice.
Dad: Yeah, you wanted maybe $6,000 more on the stone…?
Larry: Well, why not just: “Adele David. Born. Past away”?

Incredible scenes. As Larry’s friend Marty Funkhouser asks in the next scene of the episode, why didn’t he also try to say ”beloved mother”‘ and put “beloved moth”? ROFL. If restricted financial means really can dictate one’s willingness to spell correctly, then perhaps everything is finally explained. Presumably many present-day spelling errors can be attributed to the ongoing global financial crisis. Some people will use any excuse.

Source: GrammarBlog