Tag Archives: language

I’m not used to this flattery.

Posted on February 28, 2017 by kitchenmudge

Copied below is a comment I received on my last post (Apocalypse Now & Then). I didn’t approve it for posting because I first wanted to compose a proper “Thank you” in response. I also didn’t want my readers responding … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, politics | Tagged , , , , | 10 Comments

MORE BAD LANGUAGE

Posted on December 6, 2012 by kitchenmudge

My occasional posts about language have sometimes caused a little brush with what has been hyped as a “language war” between “descriptivists” and “prescriptivists”.  I don’t think it’s a real war myself, but more an excuse to write, for people … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, grammar, rant, vocabulary | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 20 Comments

THE GREY SPEAKER STRIKES AGAIN *

Posted on March 8, 2012 by kitchenmudge

The title is explained at the bottom. Back to ranting about language.  Everybody likes that, right? Someone once called me a “prescriptive linguist”, and I had to look that up.  Apparently, the term dates back to a time when there … Continue reading →

Posted in communication | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

THE SMALLEST CURRENT COIN

Posted on January 4, 2012 by kitchenmudge

. Advice, n.  The smallest current coin. “The man was in such deep distress,” Said Tom, “that I could do no less Than give him good advice.”  Said Jim: “If less could have been done for him I know you … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, organizing, politics, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

EVERYTHING YOU SAY IS WRONG, CHAPTER IV

Posted on December 6, 2011 by kitchenmudge

Judging from the number of clicks at different times, my most popular posts are the  language rants.  So let’s play to the gallery a little, for lack of a better idea right now.  There are lots of other people writing … Continue reading →

Posted in communication | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

“He’s doing THAT again?”

Posted on August 17, 2011 by kitchenmudge

More language ranting.  This time I’ll start with something that’s not really “wrong” in any way, but sometimes boring can be worse than wrong.  Ask any sullen adolescent.  It makes the listener shut down, ending all communication and producing a … Continue reading →

Posted in communication | Tagged , | 19 Comments

A good whine, I believe I’ll have another.

Posted on July 5, 2011 by kitchenmudge

Enough people seemed interested in my last rant about language that maybe a sequel could be tolerated, just to make sure this horse is a little deader. It will follow a different format, as I try to explain what I … Continue reading →

Posted in communication | Tagged , , , | 12 Comments

Watch your language!

Posted on June 18, 2011 by kitchenmudge

I’ve ranted elsewhere about bad habits of speech, including my own. This entry is mostly about things I see in writing.  That means someone is supposed to have thought a little before putting it down, and presumably thinks it makes … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, organizing | Tagged , , , , , , | 18 Comments

Just say it, and then shut up.

Posted on July 10, 2010 by kitchenmudge

A rant on effective communication No claims here to being a great communicator, but the beam in my own eye still allows me to see the motes in some others. I once knew someone who, in the course of a … Continue reading →

Posted in communication, politics | Tagged , , , , | 8 Comments