Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1862-03-18
MOrtester Dailp Spp.
Objectionable Engi,sl,.
From Chambers Journal.

Aggrdudte, IN the sense of irritate. ole
aggravated me SO much that at last | struck
nun. Inc least reflection on the etymology
OF tile word is sufficient to show how erro.
neously it is here used. gentleman might
say Ills conduct towards me was very
lnsolent; the offence was aggravated by my
having never shown him anything but kind
ness" 1t is probably from its use in such
legitimate connection of ideas, that it has at
length come, in loose common speech, to repre-
sent the words insult and irritaLe.
Some. ut took the counsel some two hours
to cross examine the witness" The proper
word to be used is "about" 1t is remarkable
that Raleigh, Bacon, Milton, Addison, and
Prior use the word 'some" in this obiectona
Bile way.
Progress, as a verb. eve are progressing
faVorably." This is barbarism recently in.
troduced from America. While such words as
proceed and advance exist, it seems a pity to
adopt new one out of its old accustomed
sense. Here, too however, there is not want
ing certain classic sanction, for the word is
used as verb by Milton.
Antiquarian, as noun. Antiquarian being
the adjective, it is surely best that we use
antlquaro as the noun, seeing that it is at our
service. The language, being varied is ell
riched
Talented. "Talents," in the sense of men
tai abilities, is itself scarcely legitimate term,
being only adopted tigura;ively from the word
in the scriptural parable. When used as above.
it becomes unbearable. Our language. as il
happens, exhibits a poverty Of words for men.
tai ability, yet gifted" would be preferable to
"talented."
"You would wish me to invite YOU: but I
am not going to- mark caught the words
he was not intended to-" The sentences give
examples of an elision which has become very
common in the familiar language OF the middle
classes, and Is even creeping into print. Let
it be condemned and avoided
As l0eH, in the sense OF also. "He was very
angry, and ! was hot as we'll" This is an
other growing grammatical evil much to be
deprecated.
Directly, in the sense of when or as soon as.
Directly the pot is boiling. take it off the
fire" The word is here manifestIy used in
wrong relation.
"The question lays in nutshell" The
sentence occurred few days ago in a daily
journal OF very high repute. 1t is an example
OF mistake very general in conversation
amongst the middle classes of the English
people it is unknown in Scotland tine ac
tive verb lay substituted for the neuter verb
de-and which most frequently occurs in the
preterite, as 81 laid down in bed" for II lay
down." &C.
Left for departed. "Thomas left this morn
ing at SIX" In using the word cleft" the
mehtion OF the place departed from is strictly
necessary.
In this connection. "In this connection. we
may also advert TO the shallow learning of the
present age" Meaning, in connection with
tins, or proposition, or group of ideas. This
Is a piece OF corrupt phraseolo@y, which seems
to have taken its rise in the American pulpit,
but is now spreading in England.
"Those sort of thugs" The proper ex-
preston to use would be that sort of things,
or things OF that kind
John, whom she said was looking another
way This is am example of direct breach
of grammar not untrt qdentiy seen in hooks
The relative pronoun ought obviously to be in
the nominative (whol, to govern the verb
"was looking the words ''she said" being
pareuthetical
Party, tor person. II asked Thomas if he
had long known that arty"-referring to a
gentleman formerly seen in Thomas company.
This vugarism seems to have taken its rise il
the counting house and exchange, where, be-
ing first used legltimately with regard to indi
viduals in bargain il has at length come to
be employed as general term tor an individ
ual or person 1t ought to be sternly repressed.
10 these specimens of improper English
may be added specimen of improper Scotch.
The word "canny" is constantly used in Eng.
land as a Scotch VOID, appropriate to a low
prudence or roguish sagacty, which southern
people are pleased to attribute to their north
ern knstolk Now, if Englishmen feel them
selves entitled to use terms of obeQuy regard
ing the morals of their neghbors, let them do
it in correct language The word "enemy"
in reality means gentle, innocent, propitious,
and has no connection whatever with either
cunning or prudence.