Tag Archives: language

A “four-button mongoose”?

Posted on October 17, 2018 by JMN

The Times described Mr. Bruce in 1959 as “a four-button mongoose” imbued with a streak of moral indignation. “The kind of comedy I do isn’t, like, going to change the world,” Mr. Bruce said in the interview. “But certain areas … Continue reading →

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“Whereabouts”

Posted on October 17, 2018 by JMN

Quite a few readers wrote to us last week to take issue with this sentence at the end of a briefing: “His whereabouts is unknown.” Surely, they wrote, it should be “whereabouts are.” Well, yes and no. Times editors consult … Continue reading →

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“Texas My Texas”

Posted on September 30, 2018 by JMN

Growing up, I was exposed occasionally to the Texas state anthem. I know the tune but can recall only the first verse — I don’t think I ever learned all the lyrics: “Texas, my Texas, all hail the mighty state!” … Continue reading →

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Bodily Fluid Clean-up Kit

Posted on September 30, 2018 by JMN

The latest Food Service Inspection Report is published in my local newspaper, and it strikes chillingly close to home. “Moo Moo” is a decades-old fast-food joint specializing in fried chicken and burgers. Once a week, on “Wacky Wednesday,” you can … Continue reading →

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Cooperate how?

Posted on September 15, 2018 by JMN

The House of Law is built on the sands of Adverbia. On Friday, Mr. [***] broke in a big way — agreeing to cooperate “fully, truthfully, completely, and forthrightly” regarding “any and all matters” the special counsel, [***], wants him … Continue reading →

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Category 4 Adverb Storm

Posted on September 12, 2018 by JMN

This just in: Extreme preparedness for extreme wetness! “Hurricane Florence / [***] says government is ‘absolutely, totally prepared’ for storm… [***] says storm will be ‘tremendously big and tremendously wet’….“ (The Guardian, 9-12-18) [Copyright (c) 2018 James Mansfield Nichols. All rights … Continue reading →

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This Is Akin to That: Scoping Language

Posted on September 11, 2018 by JMN

“Gun rights groups have vowed to fight such moves [to limit the unfettered sale of bullets]: ‘Raising taxes on bullets to offset the cost of gun violence is akin to putting a levy on prescription drugs to pay for the … Continue reading →

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There Are No “Simple” Truths

Posted on September 5, 2018 by JMN

By labeling what was essentially an opinion as a “truth” I’ve fallen into a hole I try to skirt as much as I can. Better to have said, “I agree” that knowledge is better than ignorance, leaving truth out of … Continue reading →

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Correctness: The Cee Without the Pee

Posted on September 3, 2018 by JMN

I’ve thought about my understanding of the phrase “politically correct” and concluded that fathoming its semantic range is above my pay grade. My way forward is to drop “politically” and fasten myself to the “correct” part. The Golden Rule is … Continue reading →

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Over and Off

Posted on August 31, 2018 by JMN

This tag line follows an article appearing on one of the online news aggregator sites: To jack in to my brain and get more on the latest in science, tech and innovation, follow me here on *** as well as … Continue reading →

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