Item

Standard
Aug 4, 1874
Slang
It is much to be deplored that there is a disposition to use, eye, and even to publish slang phrases, when plain and pure Saxon would not only be more euphonious but correct. It is nothing uncommon to hear such terms as he “runs” that shop, or hotel, or business. And “go for him” answers all sorts of purposes other than the true meaning. “Not much,’ “that’s so,” and “you’re whistling, etc.,” may be heard at any hour, and used by persons supposed to possess a fair education. The fact is, without being hypocritical, they should at once use a slang dictionary, instead of the good old fashioned Walker, Webster or Worcester, if they indulge in such expressions.

St. Croix Courier
April 14/1949
Shiretown Items
Coining Words
Along with many others, who love our language as it has been handed down to us by our remote ancestors, I have no patience with the modern coiners of words. To mention a few examples which always get under my skin, we have ‘contact’ used as a transitive verb, ‘stagger’ meaning alternate, ‘finalize,’ and latest and worst of all, ‘permanentize.’ I am no etymologist and my ignorance of the origin of words is as great as that of the average literate person, but like all careful eaders, I do at times pause to ponder over the beginnins of some of our words which have such musical sounds and such brilliant suggestiveness. Our ancestors looked with fresh eyes on the phenomena  of nature and of life and sought to find in speech sounds tha twould convey appropriteely what they say. We can all think of hundreds of words that are beautiful both in appearance and in sound. Take “dawn” and “dusk” for instance—so simple yet so expressive. Dawn suggests the slowly spreaking light and th glories of the day to come; disk the soft and slowly creeping darkness and the gloom of appreachign night.  The word “thunder” is most evocative. Can’t you hear itrrooo and see the lightning flash as you pronounce it? I think the great popularity of churchill as a spearke and a writer is not only beccause he awlays has something worthwhile to say, but that he says it in such simple yet beautiful and expressive language. So many of his words have a suggested significance apart from their explicit and recognized meaning. Some of his phrases  will go down in history to take their ppalce along with the lines of shakespear, the greater, perhaps, of all time.