Just in case my assault on Diane Ravitch's problems with usage didn't convince you I'm a pucker-butted language bitch, I offer the following:
As Eric and I were checking out of the library today, I noticed that the "Quote of the Week" on the bulletin board is from Thomas Jefferson. It reads:
The most useful of all talents is that of never using two words where one will do.
The circulation clerk was not amused when I pointed out that "most useful of all" is redundant, but I savored the irony all the way home.
Before anybody e-mails me, let me add that I do know that redundancy like Jefferson's can be effectively used for emphasis. I'm not entirely pucker-butted; I'm just having fun.
Posted by Su Penn at June 19, 2003 04:02 PM | TrackBack