The Undiscovered Country

Winch Your Wench

I like my title better, but then, why wouldn't I? It is, after all, mine!

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ucjk/20071230/cm_ucjk/whydontyouusethelittlewench

The article linked above is written by James Kilpatrick, and he talks about using the wrong words within articles and books.

Quite funny, some of the examples he gives. I notice I find the same, usually in books that haven't been properly edited.

Here are a few examples:

"His muscles were taunt." Hmm. A taunting muscle? How rude!

Using "lightening" when describing "lightning." I never knew lightning weighed so little . . .

"His comments didn't phase her." So is she not fazed by him, or is she going through a phase of apathy?

The one I see most often is further/farther. They are very similar in meaning, but there is a difference. Farther should describe physical distance traveled, and further should be used when describing nonphysical or metaphorical distance. Examples: "He drove 200 miles farther today than yesterday." and "The further he advanced up the corporate ladder, the less fulfilled his life seemed."

What about you? What word-switches have you seen that made you either giggle or grit your teeth in annoyance?

Oh, I almost forgot!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!