Post 22/2023 Saturday 17 June . . . In the 10 June blog I used the word exasperating instead of exacerbating concerning people facing severe health conditions. I wrote, “exasperating health conditions.” I should have said, “exacerbating,” as in facing intense, or “severe health conditions.”
Using the right, often simpler, word brings to mind a few words that make me wince, like chalk squeaking on blackboards, as it did in “olden” school days. One such word is utilize.
This is what Fowler’s Modern English Usage (Oxford University Press) has to say: “If differentiation were possible between utilize and use it would be that utilize has the special meaning of make good use of, especially of something that was not intended for the purpose but will serve. But this distinction has disappeared beyond recall; utilize is now ordinarily treated as a LONG VARIANT of use. A form is enclosed herewith for favour of your utilization is an example of the pretentious diction that prefers the long word.”
Another word Fowler dislikes is comprised, used as a synonym for compose or constitute. Such usage “is a wanton and indefensible weakening of our vocabulary.” Better to use a word like Include instead of comprise. Thanks Sir Ernest Gowers who in 1965 produced the Second Edition, updating the 1926 First Edition, with corrections added in 1983.
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Summer
Summer waits around the corner, even though high temperatures and lack of rain leapfrog the present to August.
Here’s a glimpse of what summer looked like in 18th century England. The quote is from Horace Walpole, Fourth Earl of Orford, 1717-1797:
“The way to ensure summer in England is to have it framed and glazed in a comfortable room.” From To Cole 28 May 1774. Mightily reversed from the earl’s day is the discomfort we know today, I’d say.
James Thomson (1700-48) wrote a long poem, The Seasons Summer: (1730). Thomson was a Scottish Victorian-era poet. I quote the first two lines:
From bright’ning fields of ether fair disclosed,
Child of the Sun, refulgent Summer comes. . ..
I had to look up “refulgent.” Shining brightly, it means. Seems like Thompson’s Summer comes shining brightly, giving off light and warmth as in a radiant smile. Plenty good for me.
Happy summer.
-John
It's About Now 
I used to see signs. Now I see signage.
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Right on John, keep spotting the signs of word usage creep. Thanks!
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John, I’m most interested in your musings on words. I’m now reading a historical-based novel, THE DICTIONARY OF LOST WORDS, based on actual events, as a team of male scholars compiles the first OXFORD ENGLISH DICTIONARY. One of the daughters decides to collect the “objectionable” words they omit. The setting is Oxford, England, late 19th, early 20th century. The author is Pip Williams, British born, now living in Australia. Copyright 2020. The other historical setting is the women’s suffragist movement in Britain. As something of a word smith myself, I’m finding it delightful as would you and Marty.
Ken
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Thanks Ken. Off to the library soon. Glad to know you are deep into books. Long live the book! And the myriad of readers. Best!
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