Opps.

[Disclosure: This entry was originally on July 14, 2006. One of my hotlinked pictures had changed to something moderately lewd, so I deleted the picture but accidently had it update the timestamp. Sorry kids. Nothing to see here... move along, move along.]

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And today's grammar lesson... when to use "a" verus "an":

The choice of article is actually based upon the phonetic (sound) quality of the first letter in a word, not on the orthographic (written) representation of the letter. If the first letter makes a vowel-type sound, you use "an"; if the first letter would makes a consonant-type sound, you use "a."

So, if you consider the rule from a phonetic perspective, there aren't any exceptions. Since the 'h' hasn't any phonetic representation, no audible sound, in the first exception, the sound that follows the article is a vowel; consequently, 'an' is used. In the second exception, the word-initial 'y' sound (unicorn) is actually a glide [j] phonetically, which has consonantal properties; consequently, it is treated as a consonant, requiring 'a'.

Consequently, it is "a U.S. court" not "an U.S. court" you silly b@stards...

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And in case anyone thought I was just anti-H & R Block... I also hate Jackson Hewitt too... and if I needed any more evidence:

Jackson Hewitt Franchise Banned From Preparing Improper Returns

The U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida enters separate injunctions barring a Jackson Hewitt franchise, its owner Ahmad Labib Baltagi, and two employees from preparing federal income tax returns that claim a frivolous federal income tax exemption for casino gaming proceeds paid to Native Americans, the Justice Department announces. The court orders the firm to notify all customers for whom the firm made such a claim and bars the franchise and the individual defendants from taking any unrealistic position in tax returns prepared for customers in the future. (BNA, Inc. Tax Daily Report, 07/14/06).

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Overherd in D.C.:

Metro:
Two girls enter the train through different doors, and both head for the last available seat. The girl who gets there first sits down and starts reading her Harry Potter book.
Girl who didn't get the seat: "I was going to sit there! You KNEW I was going to sit there! You took my seat!"
Girl who got the seat: "Well, that's just the way it goes sometimes."
Girl who didn't get the seat: "Yeah?! Well Sirius Black DIES at the end of that book!!"

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Joyeux Quatorze Juillet,
la fête nationale!

Allons enfants de la Patrie Le jour de gloire est arrivé. Contre nous, de la tyrannie, L'étandard sanglant est levé, l'étandard sanglant est levé, Entendez-vous, dans la compagnes. Mugir ces farouches soldats Ils viennent jusque dans nos bras Egorger vos fils, vos compagnes.	Let us go, children of the fatherland Our day of Glory has arrived. Against us stands tyranny, The bloody flag is raised, The bloody flag is raised. Do you hear in the countryside The roar of these savage soldiers They come right into our arms To cut the throats of your sons, your country.
Aux armes citoyens! Formez vos bataillons, Marchons, marchons! Qu'un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons.	To arms, citizens! Form up your battalions Let us march, Let us march! That their impure blood Should water our fields
Amour sacré de la Patrie, Conduis, soutiens nos bras vengeurs, Liberté, liberté cherie, Combats avec tes defénseurs; Combats avec tes défenseurs. Sous drapeaux, que la victoire Acoure à tes mâles accents; Que tes ennemis expirants Voient ton triomphe et notre gloire!	Sacred love of the fatherland Guide and support our vengeful arms. Liberty, beloved liberty, Fight with your defenders; Fight with your defenders. Under our flags, so that victory Will rush to your manly strains; That your dying enemies Should see your triumph and glory
Aux armes citoyens! Formez vos bataillons, Marchons, marchons! Qu'un sang impur Abreuve nos sillons.	To arms, citizens! Form up your battalions Let us march, Let us march! That their impure blood Should water our fields