Tag Archives: language

Photographer on the Straightaway

Posted on February 16, 2019 by JMN

When Annie Leibovitz was starting out as a photographer in San Francisco, she would toss her camera equipment into the back of her ’63 Porsche Cabriolet convertible and tear off to Los Angeles on Highway 5. “You used to be … Continue reading →

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The Fall and Fall of Title Editing

Posted on February 16, 2019 by JMN

Two headlines appearing for different articles in The Guardian on Saturday, February 16, 2019: “Generation next: the rise – and rise – of the new poets” (Sarah Crown) “What does it meme? The rise and rise of the fashion viral” … Continue reading →

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“How We Work Together”

Posted on February 14, 2019 by JMN

While new restaurants in Los Angeles struggle to train and retain staff, the cooks at Beverly Soon Tofu have worked with Ms. Lee for decades, fermenting kimchi and frying kelp. “They speak broken Korean to me, I speak broken Spanish … Continue reading →

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“Flowers” and Candy Bars

Posted on February 10, 2019 by JMN

[Watercolor by Harold J. Nichols, 1924-2013] I’ve started viewing “Flowers” on Netflix, a British series starring Olivia Colman. In episode 2, I think I heard a character ask a refreshment vendor for “two Clunks and a Milky Finger.” The vendor … Continue reading →

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The Best Way to Enjoy Movies

Posted on February 10, 2019 by JMN

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/feb/10/why-didnt-liam-neeson-just-stick-to-script The best way of enjoying a film is to know nothing at all about the actors. Except that they’re famous and good sports. (David Mitchell, “Why didn’t Liam Neeson just stick to the script?”, The Guardian, 2-10-19) I’m too … Continue reading →

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“Electronic Munt”?

Posted on February 9, 2019 by JMN

http://www.youtube.com/watch Sleaford Mods have described their work as “electronic munt minimalist punk-hop rants for the working class.”[1] Williamson is responsible for the words, Fearn for the music. Sleaford Mods songs have been described as embittered rants about such topics as … Continue reading →

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Australian Bub Sledging

Posted on February 9, 2019 by JMN

http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2019/feb/07/voting-in-cute-baby-competition-halted-after-parents-slam-hideous-rivals Public voting in an Australian clothing company’s baby pageant competition has been cancelled because of out-of-control parents sledging the appearances of other parents’ infants. (c) 2019 JMN.

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“All important problems are insoluble”

Posted on February 9, 2019 by JMN

nyti.ms/2UPbVSf [Arthur M. Schlesinger Jr. in his 1949 book “The Vital Center”] himself acknowledged that the center could never occupy a fixed location, and that it would continue to adapt to new challenges; “all important problems are insoluble,” he wrote. … Continue reading →

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What’s an Antonym for “Draconian”?

Posted on February 8, 2019 by JMN

http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2019/feb/08/jeff-bezos-blackmail-national-enquirer-trump But in the wake of the new revelations the Associated Press has reported that federal investigators are now looking at whether the recent revelations mean AMI [publisher of the National Enquirer] has violated that agreement. The agreement requires AMI … Continue reading →

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Gucci Goo: SIC-ening

Posted on February 7, 2019 by JMN

THIS JUST IN: British Journal “Sic”s American Spelling of Italian Press Release” “… We are fully committed to increasing diversity throughout our organization [sic].” (Gucci) (Morwenna Ferrier, “Gucci withdraws $890 jumper after blackface backlash,” The Guardian, 2-7-19) (c) 2019 JMN.

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