GRAMMAR GLITCHES

The 10 Funniest Mistakes, Typos, And Misprints In History

Image: Natalia Y.

Everyone makes mistakes, that’s a given. But sometimes, even the smallest slip-ups can lead to catastrophic outcomes, no matter how unintentional. These grammatical gaffes stand as a testament to the power of language, reminding us to always proofread before making history.

From political slip-ups to literary lapses, here are ten instances where, er… let’s call them unexpected linguistic detours, induced everything from laughter to financial ruin.

Image: Lars Blankers

In 1992, during a visit to a New Jersey elementary school, then Vice President Dan Quayle put himself in an embarrassing situation when he tried to correct what he thought was a spelling mistake. After a 12-year-old student correctly spelled the word "potato", he promptly added an e to the end of the word, creating an awkward moment as he insisted that "potatoe" was the correct spelling.

Image: Priscilla Du Preez

A 1631 edition of the Bible became infamous as it contains a number of mistakes that substantially distort the intended message of the sacred text. Known as the "Wicked Bible", among its most egregious blunders is the omission of the word "not" from one of the Ten Commandments, transforming the original sentence into the scandalous directive, "Thou shalt commit adultery." However, some argue that this was not a product of lazy proofreading, but rather sabotage from a competitor.

Image: Taha

Constable Dogberry, a character in one of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies Much Ado About Nothing, became the namesake for malapropisms, as he consistently ends up uttering absurd phrases while attempting to sound intelligent. Some of the most popular "dogberryisms" include confusing suspect with respect, ex-communication with communication, comprehend with apprehend, and even redemption with damnation!

Image: SpaceX

How expensive can a typo be? Well, as NASA found out, almost 80 million dollars. In 1962, a missing mathematical symbol in Mariner I’s code led to the spacecraft blowing up in a million pieces over the Atlantic. How could this happen? Apparently, an engineer missed an overbar (a mathematical figure that indicates the mean of a set) while transcribing the calculations by hand. This caused the spacecraft to overcorrect its trajectory, eventually throwing it off course.

The takeaway from this story is simple: always proofread. After all, even the most brilliant people are not immune to making mistakes.

Image: micheile henderson

Talking about expensive typos, a misplaced comma in the 13th Tariff Act cost the United States over 40 million dollars in 1872. The Act included a list of items exempt from taxation upon entry to the country, and included in the list was an item that read "fruit, plants tropical and semi-tropical for the purpose of propagation or cultivation."

According to the government, the comma was meant to be a hyphen, meaning fruit-bearing plants, but the correct grammatical interpretation suggested that all fruit were included in the exemption. It took almost two years to fix the mistake, but it was already too late.

Image: Janko Ferlič

Don’t worry kids, Yogi Bear is totally fine. But for a moment in 2015, Associated Press declared the cherished bear dead, when someone published Yankees’ legend Yogi Berra’s obituary under a hysterical title: "Yogi Bear has died. He was 90." While this was likely the mix-up of an underslept intern, Berra was known for his amusing unintentional witticisms and malapropisms, remembered for gems like "It ain't over 'til it's over," "It's déjà vu all over again," and "Nobody goes there anymore. It's too crowded."

Image: AbsolutVision

In a peculiar incident in December 2017, a Cambridge newspaper unintentionally became viral when a placeholder reading "100PT SPLASH HEADING HERE" found its way into the headlines. Meant for internal use during layout, the cryptic text unexpectedly amused readers and sparked online speculation, with some even joking about the headline being a warning of an incoming tsunami wave. The newspaper’s editor-in-chief later apologized profusely for the amusing mishap, which was allegedly caused by a technical issue.

Image: Michał Parzuchowski

Around 2010, an article from an unknown local newspaper went viral for misspelling "Mississippi" as "Missippi." You might argue that they simplified it, but the funniest part is that the article was about the purported success of a literacy program in the state. Maybe the program needed to focus on newspapers too.

Image: Peter Lawrence

The Guardian, one of the UK's most renowned newspapers, earned an unintentional reputation for its numerous typos. In a memorable blunder, it once printed its own name as "Gaurdian," prompting satirical magazine Private Eye to nickname them "Grauniad." Overall, the newspaper took it in good stride, and the nickname is still playfully used, even among its journalists, to refer to the media outlet with a touch of humor.

Image: Daria Kraplak

Unbeknownst to most, James Joyce’s famous novel Finnegans Wake hides an easter egg of sorts. When it comes to an author famous for his experimental and gibberish-like writing, what can possibly be considered a mistake or a typo? Well, it seems the author used to dictate parts of his work to his friend Samuel Beckett, and during one of these sessions, someone knocked at the door, with Joyce immediately saying "Come in." Without thinking twice, Beckett wrote that along with the rest of Joyce’s dictation. It is likely that Joyce noticed the gaffe, but decided to leave it there just to mess with the readers.

DESIGN ICONS

10 Cars That Redefined The Automotive Industry

Image: Derrick Chia

Since the dawn of the automobile, engineers have engaged in fierce competition to innovate and refine their designs. While we've come a long way since the revolutionary Ford Model T, it feels like there is always more room for improvement.

From sleek aerodynamics to groundbreaking innovations in safety, these 10 car designs have left an indelible mark on automotive history, influencing generations of vehicles to come.

Image: Matthew Lancaster

Henry Ford's introduction of the assembly line in 1913 revolutionized car manufacturing, making the Model T - which was actually first commercialized a few years before - the first affordable car for the masses. Standardized parts and efficient production methods meant that they were easy to both manufacture and maintain, democratizing automobile ownership forever.

Image: Tom Arrowsmith

The Beetle's compact yet distinctive design made it an instant global phenomenon since its introduction in 1938. With its air-cooled engine in the rear and quirky rounded shape, it became a symbol of affordability and reliability, capturing the hearts of millions worldwide. Remarkably, Ferdinand Porsche was the lead engineer behind the design team.

Image: Raivis Razgals

Combining an internal combustion engine and an electric motor, the Prius was the first car to bring hybrid technology to the mainstream. With its futuristic design and exceptional fuel efficiency, it quickly became one of the most successful cars in the market. Its sleek shape was designed with aerodynamics in mind, reducing drag and making it extremely economical.

Image: Charlie Deets

Tesla's Model S successfully challenged conventional notions about electric vehicles by offering a car that had both an attractive design and cutting-edge technology. Its long-range capabilities and minimalist interior set a new benchmark for electric cars, becoming the top-selling model in its category almost overnight. Newer models also feature a limited autopilot function that includes adaptive cruise control, and semi-autonomous parking capabilities.

Image: Maxime Agnelli

The GT40's aerodynamic design and powerful engine made it a force to be reckoned with on the race track. Designed and built exclusively to compete at LeMans, it put Ford on the map for sports car enthusiasts after it managed to win the prestigious race from 1960 to 1965. Today, it is still remembered as an extraordinary feat of engineering and competitive spirit.

Image: Clay Banks

The Cherokee's rugged yet versatile design revolutionized the automobile market upon its debut in 1974. Partly inspired by the Wagoneer, they were first marketed as "sportwagons," and became the precursors to the modern SUVs (sport utility vehicles). Combining practicality with adventure, these sturdy cars stood the test of time and are still beloved by many.

Image: IFCAR

The Caravan's innovative design introduced the minivan concept to the masses in 1984. With its spacious interior, sliding doors, and family-friendly features, it quickly became a staple of suburban life, reshaping the way families traveled and inspiring a new generation of practical vehicles. Though the model was discontinued in 2020, it is still remembered fondly by those who were fortunate to own one.

Image: Meritt Thomas

The Mustang's unique mix of aggressive styling and affordable price tag made it an instant classic upon its debut in 1964. Over a million units were sold within the first two years of its launch, and it is considered a pioneer of the "pony car" segment, a category that includes cars like the Plymouth Barracuda and the Mercury Cougar. With its long hood, short deck proportions, and customizable options, the Ford Mustang still retains its original charm.

Image: Arno Senoner

The DS stunned the automotive world with its avant-garde design and groundbreaking technology upon its debut in 1955. With its hydropneumatic suspension, state-of-the-art braking systems, and futuristic interior, it epitomizes the French automotive ingenuity of the time. Even a French philosopher, Roland Barthes, commented that the car looked as if it had "fallen from the sky."

Image: redcharlie

The 911's timeless design and rear-engine layout have defined Porsche's identity for over half a century. With its iconic silhouette, responsive handling, and relentless performance, it continued to set the standard for sports cars through many of its design iterations. Surprisingly for its popularity, the Porsche 911 is manufactured only in a Stuttgart, Germany factory, where roughly 110 cars are made per day.