Pied Type language

Sun, Mar 3, 2013Mon, May 24, 2021

Education is a cross I must bear

A recent TV commercial for Cancer Treatment Centers of America is making me cringe and is killing CTCA’s credibility. With me, anyway. The man talking about his treatment speaks of “prosate” cancer. No, no, no! It’s prostate. There’s another “t” in there. You’d think an institution specializing in cancer would, at the very least, include the correct name of the disease. Their next commercial will probably feature a woman talking about her “masectomy.” Every time I hear that I have to bite my tongue. It’s mastectomy. Always has been; always will be. Come on, people. It’s not like you’re trying to pronounce esthesioneuroblastoma. … Comments »

Mon, Dec 31, 2012Tue, Jun 22, 2021

This year’s banished words, phrases

How I’ve missed it in past years is beyond me, but there is an annual Banished Words List produced by Lake Superior State University. This year’s list: fiscal cliff kick the can down the road double down job creators/creation passion/passionate YOLO (You Only Live Once) spoiler alert bucket list trending superfood boneless wings guru The … Continue reading This year’s banished words, phrases

Wed, Dec 19, 2012Tue, Jun 22, 2021

What to do about Westboro Baptist Church

Unless you live in a cave, and even if you do, you’ve probably heard of the despicable Westboro Baptist Church whose members picket funerals with hateful, cruel homophobic signs. And you’ve probably heard that most recently they threatened to go to Newtown, Conn., and picket the funerals of the Sandy Hook shooting victims. And you’ve … Continue reading What to do about Westboro Baptist Church

Sat, Nov 17, 2012Mon, May 24, 2021

Lincoln was ‘socially hypergamous’

Just learned a new word: hypergamous. In the History Channel’s program “Lincoln,” Gore Vidal describes Lincoln as “socially hypergamous.” Sounds like something Vidal would say. Anyway, according to Wikipedia, “Hypergamy (colloquially referred to as ‘marrying up’) is the act or practice of seeking a spouse of higher looks, socioeconomic, caste or status than oneself.” Yeah, yeah, I know, you’ve used the word every … Continue reading Lincoln was ‘socially hypergamous’

Sun, Sep 23, 2012Mon, May 24, 2021

Taxes: Say what you mean and mean what you say

I’m reminded as our political campaign rolls on toward Election Day that we must listen and read, speak and write carefully and critically. This week the focus has been on taxes, and it is important to make the distinction between taxes in general and income taxes in particular. Yes, Mitt Romney’s comments about the 47% … Continue reading Taxes: Say what you mean and mean what you say

Tue, Sep 4, 2012Fri, May 20, 2022

Choked up over ‘full-throated’

I recently indulged in a little rant about unimaginative reporters who seem to think “hunkering down” is the only way to prepare for a hurricane. Today I came across an article that pricked another of my pet linguistic peeves — “full-throated.” I don’t remember exactly when a reporter or news anchor first used the adjective … Continue reading Choked up over ‘full-throated’