Pet peeves–everyone has at least a couple, right? Whether it’s teeth-grinding, nails on a chalkboard, or an improperly used expression, something gets your goat every time.

Well, I have quite a few pet peeves. I didn’t realize just how many until recently, when one of my students made a comment in class. After I had explained another one of my peeves–probably related to grammar–she remarked that instead of “pet” peeves, I had a whole farm of them.

I acknowledge that I have quite a few peeves, and they breed and multiply like rabbits. I’m trying to get them to use some form of birth control, but they’re Catholic. Anyway, from time to time I rant about one of these peeves, and you are about to suffer one of the first to be on this blog.

Tonight’s featured peeve is the incorrect way TV or movie characters hold torches in dark passageways. Whether it’s Indiana Jones, King Arthur or Richard Cypher, they all hold the torch out in front of them to illuminate their path. This looks like it should be right, since we hold flashlights in front of us so we can see what’s ahead.

But have you ever actually held a torch in front of you, or tried to look at someone approaching from the other side of the campfire? The light from the torch at the center of your field of vision is so bright that it is difficult to see anything past it. The correct way to hold a torch is either high above one’s head, off to the side, or behind oneself. Then the torch-holder can see clearly to deflect the onslaught of crazed beast or wicked antagonist.

So, remember this the next time you’re in a dimly lit cave with only a t-shirt dipped in kerosene wrapped around a stick to light your way–or making a movie about someone doing the same.

The More You Know…celebrating 20 years.