Since Mr. K-- is busy grading finals tonight and doesn't have time to watch Dexter on Chinese YouTube with me, I've been keeping myself entertained by toodling around Slate. I came across this (admittedly old) article in which Bruce Reed mentions Supreme Court Judge John Roberts's passion for punctuation.
As proof, Yale professor Akhil Amar points to one line from a recent Roberts opinion: "The state did—nothing." Amar tells Greenhouse, "That little dash is brilliant."
I have to agree with Mr. Amar. Although I might have gone for ellipses instead, that's still a damn good em dash.
Yes--an ellipsis would have been better than a dash. But still, a good amateur effort.
Posted by: ulyssesmsu | May 11, 2009 at 02:44 PM
Urgh. I have to admit that I find that a pretty ugly em dash. I really don't know if it's supposed to signal a pause or some kind of emphasis. Whatever it's doing, I don't think it's doing it well.
Posted by: Jonathon | May 12, 2009 at 12:35 AM