Tag Archives: writing

Telephonically? Can’t We Just Use the @!&* Telephone?

Posted on April 1, 2009 by languageandgrammar

After having heard this from a certain former Alaska governor, I looked it up and did find the adverb telephonically in the dictionary. I asked myself why in the world someone would use the ridiculous “word” telephonically when she could … Continue reading →

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Orient or Orientate: Don’t Get Disorientated Over This One

Posted on March 22, 2009 by languageandgrammar

Last week, a reader asked that I talk about the words orient and orientate and their, ummmm, evolution, so here we go. According to Webster’s dictionary, orient first appeared in 1727 and meant to cause to face and turn to … Continue reading →

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Meantime, the Controversy Rages

Posted on March 16, 2009 by languageandgrammar

Fine,  it’s not a major controversy, but I figured I would need a sensationalistic headline in order to get any but the most grammar- and language-obsessed among us to read about the proper use of meantime and meanwhile. It’s not … Continue reading →

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The Snuggie–Make it Stop

Posted on March 12, 2009 by languageandgrammar

In Literally, the Best Language Book Ever,  the chapter called You Thought You Were Clever, But… includes statements (often attempts at humor) that were clever at one point, but overuse means that they’re now as funny and charming as being … Continue reading →

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Redundant Language

Posted on March 11, 2009 by languageandgrammar

Just a short, little post today. It’s absolutely essential that if we want to develop the best ever language skills that we all join together for a brief moment to eliminate all repetitive redundancy that we hear on a daily … Continue reading →

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Political Theater

Posted on March 9, 2009 by languageandgrammar

Maybe I’ve been following the news too closely lately, but I am tired of hearing every event in Washington, D.C., being described as political theater. When President Obama tries to get a bill passed and republicans fight him, it’s called … Continue reading →

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Voila!

Posted on March 6, 2009 by languageandgrammar

Yo no hable frances (and my Spanish is kind of rusty, too), but if I did, I would be even more annoyed with how many times I’ve heard the word voila butchered by Americans. It’s not Wa La or Walla … Continue reading →

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Back and Better than Ever

Posted on March 3, 2009 by languageandgrammar

You’re all probly as surprised as I am that I haven’t written a monthly review of errors in months (I followed some not-so-super advice). I can’t help but think about how many complements about the smarter blog that might have … Continue reading →

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Nip it WHERE????

Posted on March 2, 2009 by languageandgrammar

No matter how many times you’ve said it—and you know who you are—nip it in the butt is NOT the correct phrase. Nip it in the butt? Ouch! If you must use this cliche, then use it properly: Nip it … Continue reading →

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Scratch and Dent Sale

Posted on February 27, 2009 by languageandgrammar

Language and marketing are inseparable since the key to effective marketing is effective communication, and with that in mind, I’d like to mention that I’m troubled by the frequency of scratch and dent sales that take place at a local … Continue reading →

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