Best putdown of a copy editor ever award goes to Raymond…
““Best putdown of a copy editor ever award goes to Raymond Chandler, who, in a 1947 letter to the editor of the Atlantic Monthly, wrote: "By the way, would you convey my compliments to the purist who reads your proofs and tell him or her that I write in a sort of broken-down patois which is something like the way a Swiss waiter talks, and that when I split an infinitive, God damn it, I split it so it will stay split, and when I interrupt the velvety smoothness of my more or less literate syntax with a few sudden words of barroom vernacular, this is done with the eyes wide open and the mind relaxed but attentive.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
Chandler humorously defends his unconventional, broken‑style writing, embracing deliberate rule‑breaking.
In simple terms: He proudly writes in a broken, informal style.
Key Takeaway
Embrace your unique voice.
Themes
creativity
individuality
language
Mood
playful
defiant
Type
literary
humorous
When to use this quote
- writing
- editing
- teaching
- publishing
Key Concepts
style
grammar
literary rebellion
Questions to Reflect On
- How does breaking conventions affect readability?
- When is rule‑breaking effective?
A Different Perspective
Breaking rules can alienate traditional audiences.