National Grammar Day: Put on your dangling participle & celebrate

Dangling participles, prepositions, conjunctions and diagramming sentences - oh my! Between who and whom, lay and lie, was and were and affect and effect, how does any won learn too right? But if you're a wizard of words, linguistics lover or grammarian guru, go grab your red pen. March 4 is National Grammar Day!

This annual holiday was created in 2008 by author and Society for the Promotion of Good Grammar founder, Martha Brockenbrough. According to the site, "March forth on March 4 to speak well, write well and help others do the same!"

Some believe writing and reading may be a better way to learn grammar than through traditional grammar lessons. In fact, "diagramming sentences and memorizing parts of speech" may actually hinder students from becoming better writers.

Whether you say it, write it, read it, type it or Tweet it, in a word - language is something to celebrate. And speaking of celebrating.... If you are feeling a little parched and need something to whet your whistle, perhaps a refreshing cocktail will do the trick?

Martha Brockenbrough's Grammartini Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 1/2 oz. gin

• 1/2 oz. dry vermouth (The ratio is what's important.)

• 1 green olive

Directions:

1. Pour the ingredients into a mixing glass filled with ice cubes.

2. Stir (or shake) for 30 seconds.

3. Strain into a martini glass.

March 4 is also National Snack Day.