Word Wise: The Wednesday Word Wise Roundup

November 14, 2007

The Wednesday Word Wise Roundup

A few days ago I wrote about clichés and on Sunday, in The New York Times Books Review, Jon Meacham, the editor of Newsweek, reviewed Joseph Ellis' new book, American Creation: Triumphs and Tragedies at the Founding of the Republic. He liked the book, though, he wrote, “Ellis’s voice is occasionally so informal that it can veer toward the cliché: Robert Livingston’s support for the Louisiana Purchase 'sealed the deal'; conflicts 'heated up”' a British expeditionary force is sent to crush the American rebellion 'in the bud.' The book would have been better if Ellis had chosen to crush phrases like that in the bud.”

I don’t know how I missed the hoopla, but about two weeks ago Webster New World College Dictionary announced its much-anticipated Word of the Year. In case you missed it, too, here it is: grass station. Yes, grass station. “Grass station, a pun on ‘gas station,’ refers to a theoretical fill-up spot in the not-too-distant future; it reflects America's growing love affair with hybrid cars and vegetable-based fuels (and words),” reported Boston Now. "It just tickled our funny bone," Mike Agnes, editor in chief of Webster dictionary, said of grass station. Really? Merely being slightly amusing is all it takes to become word of the year? Kind of depressing.

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Why "Word Wise"?

When I started to e-mail out a weekly writing tip to my Chicago colleagues at Edelman in 2002, little did I know how quickly how many people outside my office would start to request it. But word spread, as word is wont to do, and in 2006 the e-mail evolved into this blog. The tips, which are about grammar, usage and style, have a dual purpose – to remind my colleagues in PR of the power of the written word and, more generally, to support and perpetuate clear, concise, creative, honest, lively, stylish, compelling writing everywhere. In 2009 I started to add commentary about and links to stories and other blog posts related to the media, marketing, writing and, sometimes, just interesting stuff. For some reason, I also started Twittering (at SantowDan).