Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1862-06-27
From Chambers Journal.
Objectionable English.

Objectionable English.
Aggrdcate, in the sense of irratate. "He
aggravated me so much that at last ! struck
him." The least reflection on the etymolo-
gy of the word is sufficient TO show how er-
roneously it is here used. A gentleman
might say :-"His conduct towards me was
very insolenti the offence was aggravated
by my having never shown him anything
but kindness" 1t is probably from its use
in such legitimate connection of ideas,
that it has at length come in loose COM
mon speech, to represent the words insult
and irritate.
Some. at 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 objectionable way.
Progress, as verb. ave are progress
sing favorably." This is barbarism re-
Gently introduced from America. While
such words as proceed and advance exist,
it seems pity to adopt new one out OF
its old accustomed sense Here too. how
ever, there is not wanting 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 antiquaro as the noun, seeing that it is
at our service. The language being varied,
is enriched.
Talented. "Talents," in the sense of
mental abilities, is itself scarcely legiti-
mate term, being only adopted fguratively
from the word in the scriptural parable
Our language as it happens, exhibits pow
erty of words for mental ability, yet "gift-
ed" would preferable TO talented"
"You would wish me to invite you but
! am not going to-" "Mark caught the
word he was not intended to-" The sem
fences give examples of an elision which
has become very common in the familiar
language ef the middle classes, and is even
creeping into print. Let it be condemned
and avoided.
As weH, in the sense of also. "He was
very angry, and was hot as well" This
is another 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 manifestly used
in wrong relation.
The question lays in nutshell This
sentence occurred few days ago in daily
journal of very high repute. 1t is an ex-
ample of mistake very general in conver-
sation amongst the middle classes of the
English people Git is unknown in Scotland)
the active verb lay substituted for the
neuter verb he-and which most frequently
occurs in the preter;t, as Il laid down 10
bed," for Il lay down." &c. or, had
scarcely lain down." &c.
Left, for departed. Thomas left this
morning at six" In using the word "left,.
the mention 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 connec-
lion with this, proposition, or group of
ideas. This is piece of corrupt phrase
ology, which seems to have taken its rise in
the American pulpit, but is now spreading
in England
"Those sort of things" The proper ex-
preston to use would be that sort of things,
or things of that kind.
"John, whom she said was looking anoth-
er way" This is an example of direct
breach of grammar not unfrequently seen
in books. The relative pronoun ought OBJ
viously to be in the nominative (who) to
govern the verb 'Awas looking;" the words
"she said" being parenthical.
Party, for person. Il asked Thomas is
he had long known that party, referring to
a gentleman formerly seen in Thomas's
company" This vulgarism seems to have
taken its rise in the counting house and ex-
change, where, being first used legitimarely |
with regard TO individuals in a bargain, it |
has at length come TO be employed as gen.
eral term for an individual or person. 1t
ought to be sternly repressed.