What is the significance of
"Eats, Shoots and Leaves"
First of all, it is the title of a 'popular' book on grammar.
But secondly, to most Native Speakers, when they look at this expression, one meaning comes to mind. After a childhood spent watching Cowboy films, and 'The Godfather' etc. I suspect that most British people imagine something like the scene in "The Godfather", where the central character, Michael Corleone, suddenly stops eating, shoots the person across the table from him, and then leaves, dropping the gun.
When you think about it, it is rather an unusual event.
However, in the book on grammar, there is a different and truly unusual meaning. It is describing how a Panda, eats bamboo shoots, and leaves. The importance is where the comma is placed.
Eats Shoots, and Leaves.
The reason why the title is such a good one, is because the first image is such a strong one. But the book is trying to explain the importance of where the comma is placed.
"Eats, Shoots and Leaves"
First of all, it is the title of a 'popular' book on grammar.
But secondly, to most Native Speakers, when they look at this expression, one meaning comes to mind. After a childhood spent watching Cowboy films, and 'The Godfather' etc. I suspect that most British people imagine something like the scene in "The Godfather", where the central character, Michael Corleone, suddenly stops eating, shoots the person across the table from him, and then leaves, dropping the gun.
When you think about it, it is rather an unusual event.
However, in the book on grammar, there is a different and truly unusual meaning. It is describing how a Panda, eats bamboo shoots, and leaves. The importance is where the comma is placed.
Eats Shoots, and Leaves.
The reason why the title is such a good one, is because the first image is such a strong one. But the book is trying to explain the importance of where the comma is placed.