There are several conspicuous differences between “Wordwatching” (see above) and its peripatetic homonym, “Birdwatching,” The latter is recreational, often, but not exclusively, performed in groups, is best done in the woodlands, preferably with the aid of binoculars, is entirely objective and non-judgmental but simply constitutes, a recreational study of birds living free in nature. However, our conceived homonym, “wordwatching,” is an entirely dissimilar occupation.
Our term, “Wordwatching” is fundamentally distinguishable from the verb, “birdwatching” in several discrete features. It is preferably done alone, indoors, featuring no need for comfortable shoes, a camera, or an umbrella, Like its comparative homonym, it mandates a vigilant eye yet no binoculars (on occasion, eyeglasses). In contrast to studying an extant, natural subject, it relates to the privately exercised, diligent, and critical observation of nuanced vocabulary. The contextual activity utilizes the hearer’s personal perception and sense of linguistical aesthetics, albeit with the mandatory proviso that the aspirational standard is clarity. The primary offense is ubiquitously committed in the course of media news programs.
In the present “excursion,” we will “watch” an illustrative sample of inexorably tiresome and inexact choices of terminology, as indicated, often heard on television news programs; some are misleading and erroneous in conception others, definitional.
[“Free Gift.]” Many Television advertisements as a tactical inducement to purchase their product or utilize their services, proudly proclaim that the prospective purchaser or user will receive a “free gift.” Said two-word phrase is, tautological and annoying, if not completely ridiculous, The definition of “gift” portends the generous delivery of something for free.
[“Absolutely correct”] This confirmation of another person’s statement is grandiose, presumptuous and overboard. the comment, “correct, ” alone, would appear to be sufficient. The icing on the cake, “absolutely.” is superfluous and judgmentally, personally presumptuous. There are few absolutes on terra firma, and we would prefer that this excessive platitude be discarded
[“Illegal Immigrants”] No human being is intrinsically or systemically, “illegal.” The homo sapiens is capable of committing unlawful acts; however, the adjective, “illegal” immigrants is harsh merely in reference to unregistered immigrants, i.e., lacking the requisite paperwork.
{“Push back”] In our view, this tiresome phrase is misleading and unnecessarily aggressive in its mere intention to indicate its the existence of a contrary argument.
[“In studio,” “on ground,” “in country”] What happened to the ubiquitously useful word, “the? “
[“Communities of color”] Instead of the euphemistic description,, we would prefer: “Black and brown American citizens.
[You’re living on a gold mine! (to the elderly)] The insurance company’s invitation to induce older citizens who have paid the company’s contractual premiums all through their life, to deceptively save the insurer his now more imminent monetary obligation to pay the contracted death proceeds to the beneficiary,; and, notably, in the craven interest of the insurance company, deprive the intended beneficiary of the originally intended benefits.
Finally, we would offer a typical mews media declaration: “Here is the report, “in real-time”, from X who is “on the ground .” Translated into mundane English, this gibberish means, “Here is the current report from X who is on the location.”
Readers who are desirous of supplementing our short, but illustrative list, are invited to submit their “Wordwatching” favorites to: “just joshing @ plinyblog.com.
-p,
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