Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1879-11-07
Words and Phrases.

In the last century, lank, long-egged
word struggled into existence; and, after
shambling a long time in by-ways and
side-places, (or, more plainly, in the books
of low-rate authors,) the penny-a-ljners
got hold Of it, and its ungaihly form is
daily paraded before mems sight, in news
paper sheets, to the intense disgust Of the
lovers Of the philogic proprieties. The
word we denounce is lengthy We have
never written it till now, so heartily do we
despise it, and we do not propose ever to
write it again. There is no necessity for
its existence; our language will gain by it's
death. We have the word long; what
more is wanted? Its opposite is short;
why not in this case also coin new word j,
shorty? .''''7 5..s.A 9..t ~
Tri-weekly, by newspaper custom, is
perverted to mean three times week; this
perversion. though of American origin,
should not be tolerated. Bi-daily, is the
appropriate term for three times week,
or once in every two days; and tri-daily
for twice a week, or once in three days.
Bi-weekly is the proper word for once in
every two weeks: tri-weekly, once in three
weeks 9sflt gfsarF b5s..if,-.s .,4ei.r all
A phrase is coming into use which has
strong SAVIOR Of affectation; we mean, in the
near future. The little word ''soon' ;,
conveys the idea fully. Life is too short
and eyesight is too precious to waste either
in writing or reading superf1uous words.
s'Lesser'' is a bastard word that should
have no place in an English dictionary. .
Little, less, least, give the positive, COM
parative, and superlative degrees; not less,
lesser, leaseest. Let lesser be placed in the
limbo of words accursed. 9la ts.5, ,s..
i"Ar'n't you going?" is nowadays roll
ed out on maidens' tongue with the long
drawn rasp of the Irish brogue. How
much softer and sweeter and more, deli
cate is ''Are you not going ?''iids'f#. .4'
: Slang words and phrases do not seem to
be as current as formerly. A late phrase,
however, has a downright earnestness
about-spot cash; but we dol like it
any more than other slang words. We
suppose it means, Cash before the goods
are forwarded; necessary precaution in
a few cases. W sil7.. + s81 8tt
What does the phase ''level best'' mean?
Business letters are marked by a more
courteous and becoming style than pre-
vailed twenty years ago. We rarely-we
may say never now open a letter charged
with volly of curses, such as sometimes
exploded before our eyes in the olden days.
s'The curses returned home to roost,"
when the cursor was informed that the
fault or error was due to his own hot
headed haste. ,.u $3.50 5r alu sa5 81
The DUTY OF HUsBANDs.-The duty
of husbands is to sympathize with their
are apt to forget in the perplexities and
annoyances of business, that home cares
are also annoying and trying to the pa
thence and strength of their wives. They
come home expecting sympathy and at
tention, but are apt to have none to give.
A single kindly work or look, that tells
his thought Of her and her troubles, would
lift the weight of care from her heart.
Secondly-husbands should make conf
dants of their wives, consulting them on
their plans and prospects, and especially
on their troubles and embarrassments. A
woman S intuition is often better than all
his wisdom and shrewdness; and all her
ready sympathy and interest is powerful
aid to his efforts for their mutual welfare.
Thirdly-men should show their love for
their wives in constant attention, IN their
manner of treating them, and in the
Thousand and one trifing Offices of affec
ton which may be hardly noticeable, but
which make all the difference between a
life of sad and underlined longing, and
CHEEKY, happy existence. Above all, men
should beware of treating their wives
with rudeness and incivilitY, as if they
were the only persons not entitled to their
consideration and respect. They should
think of their sensitive feelings, and their
need of sympathy, and never lat the fire of
love go out or cease to show thatthe fame
is burning with ,unabated fervor. &
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