Here speeching English goodlike.

I was an English major, until I got sick of being told what to think. I still harbour some very strong opinions on how my language is used (or more to the point, misused). I can't begin to tell you how strong these opinions are...but I'm going to try.
Certain phrases grate on my ears like razor blades:
---The word "so" stuck next to verbs and, especially, nouns. As far as I can tell, this is so Friends. And it so pisses me off. So stow it, 'kay?
---The Department of Redundancy Department. Drives me around the bend. Have you ever noticed how common it is? Here's a very short list of redundant phrases I've heard recently:

*ATM machine (Automated Teller Machine machine)
* free gift (aren't all gifts free?)
*cease and desist (that's like stop and, umm, stop!)
*close proximity (there's no such thing as 'far' proximity!)
*general public (as opposed to the specific public, maybe?)
*pre-recorded (When else are you doing to record? After?)
*surrounded on all sides (Stop! We have you surrounded! On...three sides! Shit, he's getting away!)
*HIV virus (Human Immunodeficiency Virus virus?)
*Please RSVP (please reply, please? Pretty please? With a cherry-coloured cherry on top?)
*UPC code (Universal Product Code code?)
*PIN number (Personal Identification Number number?)

Another thing that spikes my blood pressure is the sight of a misplaced apostrophe. They're everywhere. Being as the proper use of the apostrophe is taught in elementary school, there's no excuse for such tortured constructions as "DVD's", "1980's", and, most irksome, "it's" used for everything but "it is". Arrrgh!

True story: Above the deli at our store, for more than six months, was a sign with the word "Chedder" proudly displayed. I must have mentioned that sign ten times before I finally corrected the spelling myself. I've read somewhere that eighty percent of people don't notice even the most egregious errors, and twelve percent do but don't care overmuch. I, personally, can't abide looking like an idiot in front of a mere eight percent of the population. Is that weird or what?
(What.)