Gems of Language Archives

Watch Your Verbiage

For a business writing class I will teach later today, I asked participants to let me know what they would like to be able do better in their writing. Among those responding, two participants wanted to “use better verbiage” and “use more powerful verbiage.” Being… continue reading

For Whom? Who Says?

Last night I flew home from teaching in South Carolina, and this morning I had an email from one of my new Carolina friends: "I just thought of a question about something we didn’t cover: when to use who vs. whom. . . . Any… continue reading

Redefining the “Royal We”

The "royal we" has a questionable reputation. According to The American Heritage College Dictionary, it means "the pronoun used by a sovereign . . . to refer to himself or herself." I’d like to present a new definition of the self-absorbed we. I propose that… continue reading

High-Risk Language

Nine days ago I went to pick up a batch of newly printed business cards. Unfortunately, the cards had been incorrectly printed and had to be redone. When the printer asked when I needed them, I responded, "No rush. I still have some." Because of… continue reading

Introducing “Thought Showers”

I’m pleased to introduce the term "thought shower," created in Belfast, Northern Ireland, to replace the potentially offensive expression "brainstorming." According to Henry McDonald, Ireland editor of The Observer, the staff at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, in Belfast, found the word "brainstorming"… continue reading