Not for Everyone

Every is an adjective. Day is a noun. When those two words are written separately--like this: every day--they function as adjective and noun. Every modifies (tells something about) day.

But when they are joined--like this: everyday--then the whole word functions as an adjective and needs a noun to modify, such as: bathing used to be an everyday event.

And so I wonder what Weight Watchers is really saying when these words appear above a recipe in one of their weekly booklets: MAKE IT EVERYDAY, with no noun to follow. Was there something I just didn't get? (Really, I doubt it.) Or is it that the person who wrote the booklet does not know what everyday means? That, I suspect, is the case.

I could send an email to WW explaining all this. But why bother? People get defensive when corrected. I know I do. (In those rare instances when I am corrected or in need of it... Joking. Sort of.) Would they really be more careful and precise if I did correct them? I think not.

Yesterday I told the manager of the cafe where I ate my lunch that my food was cold. It took me several minutes to decide to say something about it. I was not nasty, and I told him I ate the whole thing because it was good. But it was cold and would have been better if it had been hot. I thought he should know.

Guess what. He got a bit defensive. And he pretty much told me my food had not been cold. That's the conversation condensed. Then he gave me a card for a free lunch. Okay, I'll take it, but I hope the food is hot on that day when next I dine there. I don't want to have to tell him again, now, do I.

And, by the way, please don't ask me to explain everything and everybody.