See whether you can spot the errors in these excerpts from newspapers and magazines:

1. "Every student ... started out under Weene's tootiledge?" Was he a trumpet teacher? (submitted by Paul Burton, Staten Island, N.Y.)

2. (From a restaurant review) "I look forward to more of the creative and delicious combinations that my pallet so wonderfully received!" They must serve big portions! (Oren Spiegler, Upper Saint Clair, Pa.)

3. "Women with taught stomachs and hourglass figures can benefit from this style." Trained tummies? (Bernadine Schwartzentruber, Lowville, N.Y.)

4. "(Deep-sea divers) go to a place that's never been witnessed before and bare witness for the first time." Were they skinny-dipping? (Jeannette Kiser, Oswegatchie, N.Y.)

5. "A pair of Pittsburgh natives is giving audiences a peak into the flashy world of male entertainment." A mountain of beefcake? (Ed Collins, West Newton, Pa.)

6. "The dog's owner was taking him to the vegetarian to be put down." You're a bad dog! Stop eating meat! (Chris Ryan, New York City)

7. "The men were found near Rainbow Bridge, which spans New York and Ontario." That's a long bridge! (Gary Eppel, Kansas City, Mo.)

8. "He turned himself into the local sheriff." A magician? (Mark Lander, Old Lyme, Conn.)

9. "It doesn't have to be written in a fancy manor." A modest writer's cottage will do. (Sandy Duffy via email)

10. "We wanted a highly qualified (person) ... and we have to pay someone a commiserate salary." Do they feel sorry for her? (Stuart Sidney, Storrs, Conn.)

11. "We're in unchartered territory right now." (Elmer Sullivan, Ewing, N.J.) No grant from the king?

12. "If you're a nation-state that actually exists, you're a shoe-in (for admission to the United Nations)." Especially if you're Nikita Khrushchev giving a speech there. (Anabeth Dollins, Mt. Lebanon, Pa.)

13. "The book is well constructed and a great read. It has all the elements of a good yawn." Washington Irving's "Rip Van Winkle"? (Tom Moriarty, Baton Rouge, La.)

14. "...(people) who don't tow the party line." That line must be heavy. (Moreland Houck, Trenton, N.J.)

Corrections:

1. Weene's tutelage 2. my palate 3. taut stomachs 4. bear witness 5. a peek 6. to the veterinarian 7. spans the Niagara River between New York and Ontario 8. turned himself in to 9. fancy manner 10. commensurate salary 11. uncharted territory 12. you're a shoo-in 13. a good yarn 14. toe the party line

Rob Kyff, a teacher and writer in West Hartford, Conn., invites your language sightings. Send your reports of misuse and abuse, as well as examples of good writing, via e-mail to [email protected] or by regular mail to Rob Kyff, Creators Syndicate, 737 3rd Street, Hermosa Beach, CA 90254.