I’ve long been a critic of the colloquial use of quotation marks. This is a particular problem in theological writing. Anyone wanting to write something clever or use any form of slang in a theological treatise seems pathologically bound to enclose such phrases in quotation marks. To my mind this nearly always has the effect of making the writer sound like bumbling and silly.
As it turns out Strunk and White have a similar opinion:
“If you use a colloquialism or a slang word of phrase, simply use it; do not draw attention to it by enclosing it in quotation marks. To do so is to put on airs, as though you were inviting the reader to join you in a select society of those who know better.” (The Elements of Style, 34)
I see you have found the Journalist theme. Welcome!
I’m just messing around. I may be switching to WordPress.org soon. But I’m out of my depth with much of the process.
Email me if you have any specific questions. :-)
It’s not nearly as much of a problem as the scourge of over-italicization.
Or, as Jon Stewart calls them, “dick quotes.”
If you decide to transfer to WP.org and need a hand, let me know. I’d be happy to help.
There’s a blog devoted to unnecessary quotation marks.
Strunk and White have not been edited for several decades.
Air quotes are for mimes.