Pick a Word for 2008
I spied a couple of mentions today of Laura Lippman's blog wherein she challenges people to pick a one-word resolution for the new year.
I like the concept. Seems doable. Some responses I've seen: Action. Improve. Chill. At the moment, looking at the bills, I might pick "Earn." But I'm more likely to go with "Write" or "Do." The word doesn't have to be a verb, btw.
And while you're thinking over choices, maybe you should skip the words that Lake Superior State University has published on its 33rd annual List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse, and General Uselessness. Only a few of these are pet peeves for me--"X is the new Y"; describing things as the "perfect storm"--but I can see merit to most of the list. I'd also add anything having the "right stuff." How old is that book anyway?! I guess I'd like to have one of my book title immortalized by having headline writers borrow it endlessly (well, maybe), but I'm wondering if that happens only after a movie is made of it, anyway. (And how old is the movie by now, too?!)
Along the lines of "if it drives you crazy, write a funny story about it" (which I could have put as "when life gives you lemons . . . "): amusing story about cliches, which I think people in redio should also read.
I like the concept. Seems doable. Some responses I've seen: Action. Improve. Chill. At the moment, looking at the bills, I might pick "Earn." But I'm more likely to go with "Write" or "Do." The word doesn't have to be a verb, btw.
And while you're thinking over choices, maybe you should skip the words that Lake Superior State University has published on its 33rd annual List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Misuse, Overuse, and General Uselessness. Only a few of these are pet peeves for me--"X is the new Y"; describing things as the "perfect storm"--but I can see merit to most of the list. I'd also add anything having the "right stuff." How old is that book anyway?! I guess I'd like to have one of my book title immortalized by having headline writers borrow it endlessly (well, maybe), but I'm wondering if that happens only after a movie is made of it, anyway. (And how old is the movie by now, too?!)
Along the lines of "if it drives you crazy, write a funny story about it" (which I could have put as "when life gives you lemons . . . "): amusing story about cliches, which I think people in redio should also read.
posted by Lois at 10:37 AM
2 Comments:
'unputdownable' is creeeping up in usage in book reviews globally.
That's a word that should DEFINITELY be put down!
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