|
|
#2 (permalink) Thu Jul 31, 2008 23:25 pm Boys be ambitious |
|
|
I think "Boys be ambitious" would only mean "Boys are ambitious" in a rustic dialect, such as you might hear in the west of England.
I can't explain the missing comma, in the versions you've seen; except that punctuation tends to be light, in slogans.
MrP |
|
MrPedantic I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 1326 Location: Southern England
|
|
#3 (permalink) Thu Jul 31, 2008 23:38 pm Boys be ambitious |
|
|
OK, thanks MrP. The thought crossed my mind too, that they loose the comma to make it a slogan.
Still, somehow, I still sense the difference in its meaning, but cannot quite make what it is.
C _________________ Thou shalt not use yours to make the whole world jealous. |
|
SiCantikManis I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 242
|
 |
#4 (permalink) Thu Jul 31, 2008 23:40 pm Boys be ambitious |
|
|
| Would it be that the comma-less version seems more "general"; while the comma version seems to address a particular group of boys? |
|
MrPedantic I'm a Communicator ;-)
Joined: 13 Oct 2006 Posts: 1326 Location: Southern England
|
 |
#5 (permalink) Thu Jul 31, 2008 23:44 pm Boys be ambitious |
|
|
Oh, never thought it that way. Maybe that's it!
I think now I can sleep well...(*^_^*). Thanks, MrP! _________________ Thou shalt not use yours to make the whole world jealous. |
|
SiCantikManis I'm here quite often ;-)

Joined: 17 Jun 2008 Posts: 242
|
 |
|
| Word choice: He gave me his personal ... that his draft would be ready by Friday | What does 'You love blow and I love puff' mean? |