Tag Archives: language

E Pluribus Unum: Relief for a Pedant

Posted on November 18, 2019 by

… If applied to everyone, “they” would complete the leveling-up progress of equal dignity that “you” started centuries ago. (Teresa M. Bejan, “What Quakers Can Teach Us About the Politics of Pronouns,” NYTimes, 11-16-19) 1. A person has to register … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Latin What?

Posted on November 17, 2019 by

… Elizabeth Warren… began conducting her outreach to Hispanic voters using the term “Latinx.” (Though she did take a little flack, after the first Democratic debate, for pronouncing it “Latin-X.”) (Ross Douthat, “Liberalism’s Latinx Problem,” NYTimes, 11-5-19) Ross Douthat comments … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology, Commentary | Tagged , | Leave a comment

Boot Edge Edge

Posted on November 16, 2019 by

… He acknowledged that his success may have irked those who have seen years of presidential campaign planning tossed aside by his rise. “I’m not going to comment,” he said, “on the emotions of my competitors.” (Reid J. Epstein and … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotations | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Precise, Forceful, Formal, Direct, Powerful

Posted on November 14, 2019 by

A letter to the NYTimes is signed by Roxana Robinson, former president of the Authors Guild, and 32 other writers. It exhorts The Times to “use precise and forceful language that reveals the struggle in which we now find ourselves.” … Continue reading →

Posted in Quotations | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Humbug Goes Virile

Posted on November 7, 2019 by

Rights groups also say that an increasingly bitter political climate surrounding Brexit has fueled the flames — as did recent remarks by Prime Minister Boris Johnson on the treatment of female lawmakers… In a parliamentary debate in September, Mr. Johnson … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged | Leave a comment

Get the ‘Lead’ Out

Posted on November 5, 2019 by

She has lead the way, but all the candidates need to come clean about their health care proposals. (Elisabeth Rosenthal, “Elizabeth Warren Throws Down the Gauntlet,” NYTimes, 11-4-19) The error in the NYTimes subheading is more exciting than usual. It … Continue reading →

Posted in Anthology, Commentary | Tagged | Leave a comment

A Descendant of Ralph the Wrecker

Posted on November 5, 2019 by

A mighty union that had lasted hundreds of years, running from the Orkneys to Cornwall, from Belfast to Llanfair Pwllgwyngyll, would have been torn asunder…. (Nicholas Kristof, “Will Great Britain Become Little England?” NYTimes, 11-2-19) I would like to visit … Continue reading →

Posted in Commentary | Tagged , | Leave a comment