The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1909-10-14
A LITTLE LECTURE

Speaking of errors in the use OF our
noble English language by writers and
speakers, here are n few examples that
are noticed probably by very few hearers
or readers:
Take the intersection 20. Almost
invariably it is written ON and yet in
the majority of cases the former 10 the
word that ought to be used. so Is
properly used in the vocatve and "Oh"
only as an exclamation. In sudden
burst of surprise or pain the exclamation
"Oh' definitely expresses the meaning,
but in such phrases as 90. for II thou
sand tongues" 80, dear 80, that |
could die the form is changed. When
ever the word is used otherwise than as
an exclamation it should be spelled C. y
Authorities and the best usage are very
clear on this point and yet in the news
papers and magazines the rule Is 3ener-
ally disregarded. Even The Atlantic
Monthly is hardened sinner in the
violation of this commandment.
Round is another word often punctu-
ated incorrectly. In many newspapers
that are usually edited and printed with
care the word round is treated as if
il were contraction of around and
printed round Both words are entire
ly legitimate and il is n singular fact
that English writers almost invariably
use the adverb 'ronnd," in phrases like
Round the world while American
writers quite ~ often use it in the form
around. As it IL always better to
use the shorter and simpler word when
one can exercise choice, the prefer
ence should be round" as an adverb
| instead of around but the former
should never be printed as n contraction,
| round
| Gotten in place Of got" is another
otfense against good taste, While the
word gotten" il sometimes used by
good writers and speakers, it is usually
considered an obsolete form OF the word
and is so noted in Webster's dictionary.
The verb get" is of good old Saxon or
igin and the form have got, " had got
il almost invariably used by Bunyan,
Defoe and those English writers who
make the best use of the simple Saxon
words. Have gotten is u modern fad
contemporaneons with 'progrum and
"vahse. Simplicity is the basis of all
art, even the art of speaking and writ
ing, and II have got is clearer, strong
er and in better taste than 81 have got
ten
The little word nor is often misused
and mstreated, especially after its cous-
in, neither IL did not see one nor the
other" Neither Paul nor Timothy. :
| The use of the two negatives should he
avoided, and after mot or neither
the second conjunction should be ''or,
Neither" means mot either and 80 1t
! in smoother and more exact TO say u did
not see one or the other, Neither Paul
or Timothy He eats neither butter
or cheese 1t must be admitted that
there is good authority for the use of
nor but little reflection will show
that the or il preferable,
While the English language is the rich
est and most effective of any modern
tongue and its immense vocabulary is
sufficient for use in all kinds of writing
aud speaking, it should he the aim of
every writer and speaker to select the
best words and phrases to express his
meaning, Just ~ n workman who wants
to do good work will pick ont the tools
best adapted to the work in hand.
And to discuss the proper use of words
and phrases is harmless diversion fully
az innocent and possibly as profitable At
bridge, golf, tennis or poker. Oshkosh
Northwestern.