Friday, April 27, 2007

April 27, 2007 - Authur*


OhioLINK has 96 records containing the word Authur*, which appears on the "high probability" portion of the Ballard list of library typos (along with Authr*). In some cases, it's a misspelling of the word author, etc.; in others, it's a misspelling of the name Arthur. As someone who occasionally puns on my own last name (Reid), I am reminded of the children's book character Arthur Read (see Arthur's Lost Library Book, D.W. and the Library Card, Locked in the Library!, and Arthur Writes a Story). Arthur and I might both like to write stories someday, but since spelling counts, I'm sure neither of us wants to be known as an "Authurian" legend.

Carol Reid

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