contributorMerrill Perlman Word CountWriters Talk About WritingRinging the Changes on "Ring" Words September 26, 2012 By Merrill Perlman
"You must be a ringer," the journalism instructor told the student, who insisted that, though he had many years of experience in other jobs, he had never been a journalist. "I admit I had to look that term up," the student said later." I wasn't sure if it calling me a ringer was a compliment or an insult."
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People who write are "writers," though many call themselves "authors," especially if their products are books, or legislation. More and more, they say that they "authored" what they wrote.
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Article Topics:Word CountWriters Talk About WritingSentimental Journey: Evaluating a "Journeyman" September 10, 2012 By Merrill Perlman
Journalists writing about performers and athletes often use the word "journeyman." But Merrill Perlman, who writes the "Language Corner" column for Columbia Journalism Review, has a word of warning: "While it's OK to call an experienced person a 'journeyman,' beware: The word can imply 'undistinguished,' or worse."
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Article Topics:Word CountWriters Talk About WritingYour Choice: Alternating Between Alternatives August 28, 2012 By Merrill PerlmanCities that have hard winters have no "alternative" and must repair roads in the summer. And when they do, they need to provide motorists with "alternate" routes. That sentence illustrates the difference between "alternative" and "alternate." Continue reading...Article Topics:Word CountWriters Talk About WritingPar for the Course: Slicing Through the Golf Lexicon August 17, 2012 By Merrill Perlman
Let's say you've just arrived from another planet, with a mastery of English, but little exposure to the popular sport known as golf. So you don't understand why one golfer would hit a "banana ball" and end up with a "bogey," while another used a "chicken stick" and ended up with an "eagle."
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Article Topics:Word CountWriters Talk About WritingOut of Range: Everything from 1 to Z July 31, 2012 By Merrill Perlman
We love to "range." When describing a new shopping mall, for example, an article might say: "It has everything from a roller coaster for the kiddies to high-end boutiques for fashionistas." The "from" and "to" implies a "range," and a range implies that "everything" will be along that line. But the only thing the roller coaster and boutique have in common is that they are inside this new mall. It’s a "false range."
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Word CountWriters Talk About WritingThe Many Meanings of "Out of Pocket" July 23, 2012 By Merrill PerlmanMax Crittenden writes: "I'm seeing some peculiar usage (misuse, to my mind) of the phrase 'out of pocket.' 'My housekeeper has injured her leg and will be out of pocket for a while.' 'Sorry, I've been out of pocket and haven't gotten to your request." Is anyone else noticing this? To me, 'out of pocket' means only 'short of money.'" Continue reading... Article Topics: |
