The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1904-07-14

Gilt, d UtDgtFOas lHlUS. LII
a recent article in these
columns, dealing with the subject OF
errors in English, mention was made
of the use of a number of words IN
other than their exact meanings.
There, is phase of this that has an
amusing side, ard is responsible for
the Mrs Malaprops and their conjugal
partners SO often met in everyday life.
\ The desire 10 appear more learned
| than one really is knows neither age
4 nor position. 1t is found in children,
in those of advanced years, and in ali
classes Of society. Yet, perhaps, its
favorite habitat lies among the newly
rich--thOse whose advancement to
opulence with certain social standing
has outpaced their education or lack
of it, To these strivers the sound of a
good sonorous word has a charm that
attracts, and, when opportunity offers,
or even without it, it rolls from their
lips parrot-like and impresses or floors
the unsuspecting victim. Sometimes
the fault is one that is the growth of
years. At first the word was heard,
perhaps rightly used, but with context
that led the seeker after more polite
vocabulary to attach a meaning not
intended. In this way as time passed,
and uncorrected through it all-for
serious study never appeals to imlta-
tors-this word and no other finally
really conveyed to the users mind the
meaning first incorrectly assumed.
One might call these people human
parrots were it not that they are en-
dowed with a certain amount of reason,
and indeed in other directions their
shrewdness and ability may be such as
to place them in much higher rank
than their speech would indicate.
They have not, however, been led to
recognize the Importance of the thought
vehicle, and so must be classed with
those other misguided characters who,
by force of repetition and habit have
come to receive error as truth.
One is reminded of the old gentleman
whose long. simple and good life was
overshadowed in his youth by defective
utterance. He tells the story in this
way: "When I wath quite boy,
had defect in my thpeech-I uthed
to lithp. 1t wath a thourth of great
modification to me, aud kept me ont
of thothiety for yearth. But made
up my mind it could be remedied, and
l perthevered and perthevered, until
finally am thankful to thay, / have
, abtholutely overcome the difficulty
, Now, that old man actually believed
that he had "abtholutely overcome
his lisping. Just so does the constant
misuse of good word seemingly turn
,, error into truth.
The child, filled with zeal for alb.
sorbing the contents of each and every
text book in its hands, often finds itself
beyond its depth and astounds the
listening family with combinations OF
: sounds whose meaning needs PhiIa
: delphia lawyer to interpret. AL
, children succumb to this at one time
or another, as they do to the measles
e Margery. aged twelve, was journeylnG
2 by rail with her little cousin to New
: York City. She had made the triI
several times, and was seeking every
3 occasion to impress her younger com
panion, now tasting for the first time
j. the delights Of travel. with the kn0wl
: edge gained by previous experience
{ Az the train passed along the Har
! lem River through Fordhann and
Q Morris Park, Margery turned and
q said: ssLook, Alice; look! now WEIR
9 going through the understands Of tht
!. city" Not SO Inaccurate after all.
8 The stories told Of the sayings o.
l. older people who should know better