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Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Thoughts both confusing and enlightening.

Why is a raven like a writing desk?

Thoughts both confusing and enlightening.

A plea to wordsmiths…

elbeno, 4 February, 2005

Come on, people. If your job involves using English professionally, take some time to learn it. In particular:

– “Begging the question” does not mean “implying/requiring that the question be asked”
– “Schizophrenia” is not having multiple personalities
– “Enormity” does not mean “great size”

When you use words wrongly, it just confuses and annoys those of us who employ the correct usage.

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Comments (3)

  1. silvercougar says:
    4 February, 2005 at 8:24 pm

    uh… k…

    ;P

    (http://livejournal.com/users/silvercougar)

  2. elbeno says:
    4 February, 2005 at 8:32 pm

    So I'm English and grumpy. Whenever I hear this stuff, it's like somebody just set off an alarm in the middle of the sentence. Also, using “less” when you mean “fewer”.

    Note: I only direct this criticism at journalists and other word professionals. It's their job.

    Happy Friday 🙂

    (http://livejournal.com/users/elbeno)

  3. silvercougar says:
    5 February, 2005 at 12:11 am

    hehe

    But.. all my englishism I learned from you guys!! ;P

    (http://livejournal.com/users/silvercougar)

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