The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-09-18
Chicago Post.

Chicago Post.
When it comes to multiplying words
without knowledge" women, it must be
confessed, are much greater sinners than
men; but as they do not realize their
enormities it is almost useless to hope for
their reform for, as theologians know, re-
pentance must precede righteousness.
We laugh at the dialect in stories of
hack-country life, never dreaming that our
own expressions are quite as unfelicitous
Indeed, were a stenographic report made of
our conversations it would doubtless be
Indignantly repudiated as false. Many a
well-educated and even thoughtful woman
has habit of saying says he" and says
1" which is maddening She doesn't know
that she says it. but it is painfully evident
to her friends.
Where did we get that "says hep" From
our Puritan ancestors no doubt who in
their anxiety to reproduce exactly the
words of another laid hold of the handy but
dreadful little Interpolation. When women
are describing some ones views on a GER
tam topic their conversation ordinarily goes
in this way:
First Speaker-Well, what did your hus-
band say about it?
Second Speaker-Well, l says to him. saws
l, John, do wish you would tell me what
you want h,4 me TO 40 about Joining that So
want you to do exactly as you think best"
but, l says-and so on.
You may think this an exaggeration but
you will find many interviews which are
still richer in the mellifiuous says he
The leave-taking of women after call re-
the last FIVE minutes Of a visit are usually
crowded full OF wells which are anything
but IVY wells of ,,,I English Undecided
sorry you must" well. you know. since
we are keeping house 1 feel responsibility
about about everything, and our maid is not espe-
is. Well. I'll see you at the Smiths Wednes-
cay; Yes. Wen, goodbye, again"
And SO ad infintum
''That sort of thing is another sufferer
almost as much abused as well" Doubtless
many people think they are adding a luster
and it does bear the stamp imported" but
then, as it doesn't mean anything at all. it
might as well be left out.
A user of good English-a woman--said
the other day, in speaking of the use of too
many words: II believe my special aversion
is just and it worries me to think how
find it so easy TO say I just cannot do that
to-day. 1t is just impossible and can be
done just exactly as well tomorrow One
doesn't notice it so much in conversation
1t is when 1 read over a letter that / have
just written (There! did you notice 1 said
lust aeainD that realize my devotion to
that convenient intensive
After ALL everyone has his or her-prin-
cipally her-own pet phrase. There was one
dear old lady who said s'of course on every
occasion. She dragged it into every para
graph. and sometimes it gave the sentence
a most peculiar meaning as in one instance
when she told of Mr.. Smiths demise. Yes -
she said, very seriously. "Mr. Smiths wife's
mother came to visit them, and, of course
he died soon AFTER
Our persistent use of some phrase doesn't
always result in so peculiar a sentence as
the above. but at least it is unpleasant to
the ear of anyone who loves good English
and If we only noticed and corrected these
conversational faults it would give a great
deal of pleasure to our fellow creatures.