Tag: language
-
On language: The unfortunate nominalization of spend and ask
James Kilpatrick may have been best known for his syndicated political newespaper column, but I preferred his weekly column about writing and English called “The Writer’s Art.” I loved it when in his column he’d put on his virtual judicial robes and open the Court of Peeves, Crotchets, and Irks, for what followed would be a humorous, incisive invective on foibles of…
-
Seeking injunctive relief from the misuse of “amazing”
IN THE COURT OF PEEVES, CROTCHETS, AND IRKSCAUSE NO. _________________________ JIM GREY Petitioner v. ALL ENGLISH-SPEAKING PEOPLE EVERYWHERE Respondent PETITION FOR INJUNCTION PROHIBITING MISUSE OF THE WORD “AMAZING” The Petitioner alleges against the Respondent and states as follows: That the word “amazing” means “causing a sudden, overwhelming sense of surprise, astonishment, or wonder;” that without…