Language

Reflections on words and language.

“Praying” as a Hobby

October 28, 2009

I’m pretty sure that praying is not the same thing as thinking. Some people are using the word “Pray” where others would normally use the word “think,” as in, ”Yes, that is a difficult issue. I’ll have to pray about that for a while.” It’s even happening in Congress on issues as important as the national [...]

What Is “Maturity?”

September 27, 2009

What’s the point of being mature when you’re dealing with a tough social situation? Let me put that another way, because it does us no good to ponder the use of maturity until we really know what it is. What is it to be a mature person?

‘Literally’ As a Figure of Speech

September 13, 2009

In a really excelent post about language and how frustrating and cliche’ some people express themselves, I was reminded of my own ‘literal’ encounter one night out at Amber Room. I would be interested to hear responses from a good many teenagers who would find themselves placed upon the critical chopping block. Awful as I [...]

The Bay Bridge is a Failure?

September 6, 2009

I’d like to talk, for a moment, about a phrase I picked up in this quote, from an article in the SF Chronicle yesterday, regarding a ‘crack’ that was discovered this weekend in a piece of the Bay Bridge. Can you see the phrase? It’s a little one, and pretty innocuous at first glance. That’s right…’bridge failure.’

“How do you know when you’re in love?”

August 19, 2009

I had a friend recently ask me the question, “when do you know you’re in love?” A question like that, I’m not sure I’m used to thinking about anymore. It’s not that I think the answer is exactly obvious, but that, by this age, I figure most of my friends already know the answer well [...]

Meanwhile, How wrong is it that Higgings isn’t really British?

August 12, 2009

In fact, he was born in Denison, Texas. That’s right, he’s a Texan. Now, I generally haven’t any trouble with my Brits not being actually British. Indeed, some of the best haven’t been. Half of them, first off, are really Australian. I’ve learned this since dating a girl who, American born, is now actually Australian [...]

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