The Slice: The Slice: Sounds better when you put it that way

Maybe you’ve noticed.

A lot of people interviewed on Spokane TV news have problems with grammar and coherence.

That doesn’t cast this area in the most flattering light.

But look on the bright side. This troubling reality can bolster viewers’ self-esteem.

You don’t have to snobbishly mock someone or ridicule a person’s spotty education to nonetheless find yourself thinking, “Gee whiz, I might not have a silver tongue but I know I’d sound better than that poor soul.”

“For those keeping score at home: The S-R still buys its newsprint by the ton.

“Things you don’t hear a lot in the Spokane area: 1. “Tallyho.” 2. “I am sure that we shall all reap the benefit of your remonstrations in the fullness of time.” 3. “Gadzooks.” 4. “Do I look too dressed-up?” 5. “Maybe it’s not such a great thing that our cat has now had 600 kittens.”

“Locally inspired Jane Austenesque titles: “Pride and Potholes.” — Susan Jackson

“Potholes and Prestige.” — Lisa Wilcox

And a reader in North Idaho offered “Manito Park” and “Senseless Irritability.”

“Slice answer: What are the key differences between your online social networks and your in-person social networks?

A reader with a master’s degree in science responded.

“In-person social networks? Huh?”

“Following up on Mr. Forgetful: “So … did that guy who could hide his own Easter eggs get selected for that jury?” wondered Glenn Jacklin.

No.

“Highs and lows: “Regarding your comment at the end of your column (Thursday) about ‘Height difference can make holding hands awkward,’ ” wrote Rosalyn Clark of Sagle, Idaho. “It makes hugging awkward, too.”

Enough said.

“Mystery city: “I’m an avid reader, and one of my favorite types of material is the mystery novel,” wrote M.W. Nelson. “Recently I’ve noticed a surprising amount of references to our humble burg in the pages of said novels.”

They tend to be fleeting mentions.

“But they all had the common theme of either sending for law enforcement help from Spokane or of Spokane being a place where the criminal would not be able to easily escape.”

Nelson wonders what’s going on. “Does the name ‘Spokane’ merely sound good when written in the middle of a brutal homicide investigation?”

“By the numbers: Aimee Smith, 21, rides the STA route 21 bus.

“Today’s Slice question: Which schools were never members of the Big Sky Conference?

A) Nevada-Reno. B) Boise State. C) Cal-Northridge. D) Gonzaga. E) Princeton. F) Florida International. G) Idaho. H) Wyoming. I) North Dakota State. J) Faber.

Find the answers after my contact information.