25
$\begingroup$

A quick one for language fortnight.

A few days ago, my girlfriend broke up with me. We were never really right for one another, and I knew it was coming, but of course it still stung a bit. And true to her style, she did it via a series of poorly written text messages. She didn’t really pull any punches, mentioning many things she saw as my character flaws: playing too many video games, considering a trip to Taco Bell a “date”, constantly correcting her grammar and spelling, shaving my chest with her razor, shaving my chest at all, etc.

At first I didn’t know how to respond, but eventually I decided to simultaneously take the high road and the low road. So I sent her this email:

Baby,

I’m sad your leaving.

I can’t believe we ended up here, after what was an wonderful beginning. I know at times things were good and at times they were badly, but I always thought we would make it.

I remember the start. Right when I saw you, I knew you were a people of interest.
Things were great for so long. But now, we all know whom is at fault, so I understand your decision.

The dogs are upset. Sandy just lays down looking sad and misses u. So does Rusty. They makes me feel better at least. I’m glad the shelter gave them to you and I.

I feel nauseous without you—I feel like I could throw up any second—but I understand. This is the way things had to be.

Hears what I want you too do: live your life, be happy, and be goode.

By 4ever,
--Dan

And I smiled smugly to myself. I knew that she would never understand what I was really saying. Do you?

Improve this question
$\endgroup$
6
  • $\begingroup$ Though the language fortnight was over 3 days ago =D $\endgroup$
    – Khale_Kitha
    Commented May 30, 2016 at 6:11
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ Better hope she never finds this post. Then she will understand. $\endgroup$
    – jpmc26
    Commented May 30, 2016 at 6:12
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ @Khale_Kitha My girlfriend also mentioned procrastination as an issue. $\endgroup$
    – Dan Russell
    Commented May 30, 2016 at 13:06
  • $\begingroup$ @jpmc26 I'd say it's 50/50 whether she can operate spoiler tags. $\endgroup$
    – Dan Russell
    Commented May 30, 2016 at 13:11
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @ArturKirkoryan Sure, I'd be honored! $\endgroup$
    – Dan Russell
    Commented Sep 20, 2016 at 21:05

1 Answer 1

Reset to default
21
$\begingroup$

The secret message is

hidden in the incorrect spellings and usages.

In the original message

Baby,

I’m sad your* leaving.

I can’t believe we ended up here, after what was an* wonderful beginning. I know at times things were good and at times they were badly*, but I always thought we would make it.

I remember the start. Right when I saw you, I knew you were a people* of interest. Things were great for so long. But now, we all know whom* is at fault, so I understand your decision.

The dogs are upset. Sandy just lays* down looking sad and misses u*. So does Rusty. They makes* me feel better at least. I’m glad the shelter gave them to you and I*.

I feel nauseous* without you—I feel like I could throw up any second—but I understand. This is the way things had to be.

Hears* what I want you too* do: live your life, be happy, and be goode*.

By* 4ever*,
--Dan

Which gives

You're a bad person who lies. You make me nauseated. Here's to good bye forever.

(Thanks to @Patrice for the nauseous/nauseated correction.)

Improve this answer
$\endgroup$
11
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ @mikeM english isn't my native tongue, so i may be wrong, but shouldn't it be 'nauseated' and not nauseous? $\endgroup$
    – Patrice
    Commented May 29, 2016 at 20:34
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ @Patrice: My dictionary lists both as adjectives and synonyms of each other, so both seem to be grammatically correct. $\endgroup$
    – KeyboardWielder
    Commented May 29, 2016 at 20:39
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @Patrice That's probably what he was going for, but AFAIK, both are acceptable in current usage; like the current use of "comprise", or some other example I can't think of at the moment. :-) $\endgroup$
    – Mike M.
    Commented May 29, 2016 at 20:42
  • 7
    $\begingroup$ Some people argue that "nauseous" should only be used to mean something that provokes nausea and that "nauseated" must be used to mean suffering from nausea. $\endgroup$
    – David Schwartz
    Commented May 29, 2016 at 21:06
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ @jpmc26 How's that? $\endgroup$
    – Mike M.
    Commented May 30, 2016 at 6:27

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.