From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?
--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

Le 24/03/2026 |a 04:30, Steve Hayes a |-crit :

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?

Axed, bungle, claim, (sex) fiend, furore, in tatters, mayhem, oust,
probe, race row, ramp up, sex scandal, spark fears, spat, swingeing, tinderboxrCa.

I grumble to myself about the standard of English at the BBC these days,
but this question is a useful reminder that it's still better than the tabloids'.

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage


Hibou <vpaereru-unmonitored@yahoo.com.invalid> posted:

Le 24/03/2026 |a 04:30, Steve Hayes a |-crit :

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?

Axed, bungle, claim, (sex) fiend, furore, in tatters, mayhem, oust,
probe, race row, ramp up, sex scandal, spark fears, spat, swingeing, tinderboxrCa.

slay and slain (in USA journalism)

I grumble to myself about the standard of English at the BBC these days,
but this question is a useful reminder that it's still better than the tabloids'.

--
athel

Living in Marseilles for 39 years; mainly in England before that,
with long periods in Singapore, California, Chile and Canada
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On Tue, 24 Mar 2026 06:11:52 +0000, Hibou <vpaereru-unmonitored@yahoo.com.invalid> wrote:

Le 24/03/2026 |a 04:30, Steve Hayes a |-crit :

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?

Axed, bungle, claim, (sex) fiend, furore, in tatters, mayhem, oust,
probe, race row, ramp up, sex scandal, spark fears, spat, swingeing, >tinderboxrCa.

I think I may have used one or two of thse in ordinary speech, but no
instances come to mind, so probably not.

I grumble to myself about the standard of English at the BBC these days,
but this question is a useful reminder that it's still better than the >tabloids'.

Fortunately for us who live far away, most of the UK tabloids are
behind paywalls.
--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

Den 24.03.2026 kl. 07.11 skrev Hibou:

Axed, bungle, claim, (sex) fiend, furore, in tatters, mayhem, oust,
probe, race row, ramp up, sex scandal, spark fears, spat, swingeing, tinderboxrCa.

"Claim" is a perfectly normal word for me. The others I know, but they
are not common. "Mayhem" was a choice in a computer game whose title
I've forgotten (along with "easy", "hard" and so on).
--
Bertel, Kolt, Danmark

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On 24/03/2026 04:30, Steve Hayes wrote:

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?

Just looking at today's UK papers

"Trump touts diplomatic end to war" (Financial Times). Other than in the
term 'ticket tout', I don't expect to encounter 'tout' much.

"Ambulance torched by bigots saved my baby's life" (Metro). 'Torch' for
'set fire to'. A torch, meaning a flashlight, is more general.
--
Phil B

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

Steve Hayes:

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by
journalists, and very little by ordinary people,
probably because they are short and fit neatly into a
headline.

But this is not a reason for ortinary people to avoid
those words.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is
"amid".

I know it: necessiated by the desire to specify context
in a brief and connected manner.

Another classic one is "looms".

As part of the cliche /looms large/?
--
() ascii ribbon campaign -- against html e-mail
/\ www.asciiribbon.org -- against proprietary attachments
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From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

Le 24/03/2026 |a 10:20, Bertel Lund Hansen a |-crit :

Den 24.03.2026 kl. 07.11 skrev Hibou:

Axed, bungle, claim, (sex) fiend, furore, in tatters, mayhem, oust,
probe, race row, ramp up, sex scandal, spark fears, spat, swingeing,
tinderboxrCa.

"Claim" is a perfectly normal word for me. The others I know, but they
are not common. "Mayhem" was a choice in a computer game whose title
I've forgotten (along with "easy", "hard" and so on).

'Claim' seems to be used quite a lot by journalists where the rest of us
might say 'say'. It throws doubt on what is said - and, if memory
serves, Diana Brackley takes a journalist to task over just this point
in Wyndham's novel 'Trouble with Lichen'.

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On 2026-03-24, Anton Shepelev wrote:

Steve Hayes:

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by
journalists, and very little by ordinary people,
probably because they are short and fit neatly into a
headline.

But this is not a reason for ortinary people to avoid
those words.

I agree!

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is
"amid".

I know it: necessiated by the desire to specify context
in a brief and connected manner.

Another classic one is "looms".

As part of the cliche /looms large/?

I was reading something a few months ago about why deer are vulnerable
to car collisions [1] and it mentioned "looming" as the visual process
by which animals estimate the speed of something approaching. It
doesn't help that deer are crepuscular and their vision in dim light
is especially susceptible to flash blindness ("deer in headlights"
behaviour).


[1] It can be pretty bad for the car too, although not as dangerous
for the occupants as hitting a moose, which can slide up the
hood/bonnet because of its higher centre of gravity.
--
Hear my laughter in your head
It's a pity, it's a shame, nothing's been said
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

Hibou blurted out:

Le 24/03/2026 |a 04:30, Steve Hayes a |-crit :

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

I don't think I see that much in headlines. It is more of a prose
encounter. Not daily, mind you.

Update: today's local headlines include "canceled amid controversy".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?

"strike"

Axed, bungle, claim, (sex) fiend, furore, in tatters, mayhem, oust, probe, race row, ramp up, sex scandal, spark fears, spat,

swingeing,

What is that?

tinderboxrCa.

I'll nominate "record-smashing" (heat, in this case), "boosts", and "squeezes". On the edge is "citing" and "emerge".

I grumble to myself about the standard of English at the BBC these days, but this question is a useful reminder that it's still better than the tabloids'.

I have mixed thoughts about "looms". Besides the verb being used in
contexts like Anton and Adam discuss, my perception is colored by ny
father and aunt having spent time as amateur weavers, using one or more
looms.

/dps
--
I have always been glad we weren't killed that night. I do not know
any particular reason, but I have always been glad.
_Roughing It_, Mark Twain
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On 25/03/26 00:46, Hibou wrote:

Le 24/03/2026 |a 10:20, Bertel Lund Hansen a |-crit :

Den 24.03.2026 kl. 07.11 skrev Hibou:

Axed, bungle, claim, (sex) fiend, furore, in tatters, mayhem, oust,
probe, race row, ramp up, sex scandal, spark fears, spat, swingeing,
tinderboxrCa.

"Claim" is a perfectly normal word for me. The others I know, but they
are not common. "Mayhem" was a choice in a computer game whose title
I've forgotten (along with "easy", "hard" and so on).

'Claim' seems to be used quite a lot by journalists where the rest of us might say 'say'. It throws doubt on what is said - and, if memory
serves, Diana Brackley takes a journalist to task over just this point
in Wyndham's novel 'Trouble with Lichen'.

This is related to the use of "refute" to mean "deny".
--
Peter Moylan peter@pmoylan.org http://www.pmoylan.org
Newcastle, NSW
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On 24/03/26 22:25, Phil wrote:

Just looking at today's UK papers

"Trump touts diplomatic end to war" (Financial Times). Other than in
the term 'ticket tout', I don't expect to encounter 'tout' much.

The word "tout" carries a hint that something is fishy and perhaps
illegal. In this case, it lets the journalist hint that Trump was
probably [1] lying, without saying it aloud.

[1] In fact he was certainly lying, because I saw his lips move.

By the way, I've just read an article that said that heavy market
trading started ten minutes /before/ he made his announcement. It would
be interesting to get a list of the people who had the inside information.
--
Peter Moylan peter@pmoylan.org http://www.pmoylan.org
Newcastle, NSW
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On 24/03/2026 20:25, Snidely wrote:

Hibou blurted out:

Le 24/03/2026 |a 04:30, Steve Hayes a |-crit :

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

I don't think I see that much in headlines.-a It is more of a prose encounter.-a Not daily, mind you.

Update:-a today's local headlines include "canceled amid controversy".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?

"strike"

Axed, bungle, claim, (sex) fiend, furore, in tatters, mayhem, oust,
probe, race row, ramp up, sex scandal, spark fears, spat,

swingeing,

What is that?

Cuts. Large cuts in a budget.

"swingeing cuts in public expenditure"

tinderboxrCa.

I'll nominate "record-smashing" (heat, in this case), "boosts", and "squeezes".-a On the edge is "citing" and "emerge".

I grumble to myself about the standard of English at the BBC these
days, but this question is a useful reminder that it's still better
than the tabloids'.

I have mixed thoughts about "looms".-a Besides the verb being used in contexts like Anton and Adam discuss, my perception is colored by ny
father and aunt having spent time as amateur weavers, using one or more looms.

/dps

--
Sam Plusnet
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On Wed, 25 Mar 2026 11:28:21 +1100, Peter Moylan <peter@pmoylan.org>
wrote:

On 25/03/26 00:46, Hibou wrote:

Le 24/03/2026 |a 10:20, Bertel Lund Hansen a |-crit :

Den 24.03.2026 kl. 07.11 skrev Hibou:

Axed, bungle, claim, (sex) fiend, furore, in tatters, mayhem, oust,
probe, race row, ramp up, sex scandal, spark fears, spat, swingeing,
tinderboxrCa.

"Claim" is a perfectly normal word for me. The others I know, but they
are not common. "Mayhem" was a choice in a computer game whose title
I've forgotten (along with "easy", "hard" and so on).

'Claim' seems to be used quite a lot by journalists where the rest of us
might say 'say'. It throws doubt on what is said - and, if memory
serves, Diana Brackley takes a journalist to task over just this point
in Wyndham's novel 'Trouble with Lichen'.

This is related to the use of "refute" to mean "deny".

And "suspect" to mean "perpetrator".
--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:25:55 -0700, Snidely <snidely.too@gmail.com>
wrote:

Hibou blurted out:

Le 24/03/2026 |a 04:30, Steve Hayes a |-crit :

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

I don't think I see that much in headlines. It is more of a prose >encounter. Not daily, mind you.

Another, seen mainly in headlines, is "slam", meaning "to criticise unfavourably".

Update: today's local headlines include "canceled amid controversy".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?

"strike"

Axed, bungle, claim, (sex) fiend, furore, in tatters, mayhem, oust, probe, >> race row, ramp up, sex scandal, spark fears, spat,

swingeing,

What is that?

tinderboxrCa.

I'll nominate "record-smashing" (heat, in this case), "boosts", and >"squeezes". On the edge is "citing" and "emerge".

I grumble to myself about the standard of English at the BBC these days, but
this question is a useful reminder that it's still better than the tabloids'.

I have mixed thoughts about "looms". Besides the verb being used in >contexts like Anton and Adam discuss, my perception is colored by ny
father and aunt having spent time as amateur weavers, using one or more >looms.

/dps

--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On Wed, 25 Mar 2026 00:50:49 +0000, Sam Plusnet <not@home.com> wrote:

On 24/03/2026 20:25, Snidely wrote:

Hibou blurted out:

Le 24/03/2026 |a 04:30, Steve Hayes a |-crit :

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

I don't think I see that much in headlines.-a It is more of a prose
encounter.-a Not daily, mind you.

Update:-a today's local headlines include "canceled amid controversy".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?

"strike"

Axed, bungle, claim, (sex) fiend, furore, in tatters, mayhem, oust,
probe, race row, ramp up, sex scandal, spark fears, spat,

swingeing,

What is that?

Cuts. Large cuts in a budget.

"swingeing cuts in public expenditure"

How should it be pronounced?
--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

Sam Plusnet was thinking very hard :

On 24/03/2026 20:25, Snidely wrote:

Hibou blurted out:

swingeing,

What is that?

Cuts. Large cuts in a budget.

"swingeing cuts in public expenditure"

Is that 'g' a /dZ/ or /g/ ?

And is it ever used in a bread or beef context? Battle wounds?

/dps
--
Maybe C282Y is simply one of the hangers-on, a groupie following a
future guitar god of the human genome: an allele with undiscovered
virtuosity, currently soloing in obscurity in Mom's garage.
Bradley Wertheim, theAtlantic.com, Jan 10 2013
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

With a quizzical look, Snidely observed:

Sam Plusnet was thinking very hard :

On 24/03/2026 20:25, Snidely wrote:

Hibou blurted out:

swingeing,

What is that?

Cuts. Large cuts in a budget.

"swingeing cuts in public expenditure"

Is that 'g' a /dZ/ or /g/ ?

or /N/ ?

And is it ever used in a bread or beef context? Battle wounds?

/dps

-d
--
The presence of this syntax results from the fact that SQLite is really
a Tcl extension that has escaped into the wild. <http://www.sqlite.org/lang_expr.html>
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On Tue, 24 Mar 2026 13:25:55 -0700, Snidely <snidely.too@gmail.com>
wrote:

Hibou blurted out:

Le 24/03/2026 |a 04:30, Steve Hayes a |-crit :

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

I don't think I see that much in headlines. It is more of a prose >encounter. Not daily, mind you.

Update: today's local headlines include "canceled amid controversy".

Today:

"Fitness App Exposes French Aircraft Carrier Amid War against Iran"
--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

Le 25/03/2026 |a 04:34, Snidely a |-crit :

Sam Plusnet was thinking very hard :

On 24/03/2026 20:25, Snidely wrote:

Hibou blurted out:

swingeing,

What is that?

Cuts.-a Large cuts in a budget.

"swingeing cuts in public expenditure"

Is that 'g' a /dZ/ or /g/ ?

And is it ever used in a bread or beef context?-a Battle wounds?

Meaning and pronunciation here (click on the little loudspeaker):

<https://www.collinsdictionary.com/dictionary/english/swingeing>

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

Le 25/03/2026 |a 05:08, Steve Hayes a |-crit :

Today:

"Fitness App Exposes French Aircraft Carrier Amid War against Iran"

Yes, I heard that a few days ago. I don't suppose it's easy writing
headlines. Is it possible to do better?

Fitness app gives away position of carrier deployed to Middle-East

Hmm.

Are they using an aircraft carrier to combat drones? Reminds me of cats,
who can often be seen stalking flies. Seems like overkill.

France has said it's going to build an even bigger carrier, la France
libre - though M. Macron blundered in his announcement, calling it le
France libre. It turns out that in the merchant navy, ships have the
gender of their type (navires (m.), b|otiments (m.), paquebots (m.)rCa) (le Normandie, le France), but in the navy navy they have the gender that
goes with their name, even when they're porte-avions (m. inv. - aircraft carriers). So la France libre.

<https://www.leparisien.fr/politique/le-france-libre-ou-la-france-libre-lacademie-francaise-a-tranche-sur-le-nom-du-futur-porte-avions-19-03-2026-GE7ZLKF3DJEN3FDHIGKWF27FXY.php>

Thank goodness we don't have gender in English!

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On 2026-03-24, Snidely wrote:

I have mixed thoughts about "looms". Besides the verb being used in contexts like Anton and Adam discuss, my perception is colored by ny
father and aunt having spent time as amateur weavers, using one or more looms.

Are you looming large?

Yes, I'm making a big rug.
--
Hear my laughter in your head
It's a pity, it's a shame, nothing's been said
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On 2026-03-25, Hibou wrote:

Le 25/03/2026 |a 05:08, Steve Hayes a |-crit :

Today:

"Fitness App Exposes French Aircraft Carrier Amid War against Iran"

Yes, I heard that a few days ago. I don't suppose it's easy writing headlines. Is it possible to do better?

Fitness app gives away position of carrier deployed to Middle-East

Hmm.

Are they using an aircraft carrier to combat drones? Reminds me of cats,
who can often be seen stalking flies. Seems like overkill.

France has said it's going to build an even bigger carrier, la France
libre - though M. Macron blundered in his announcement, calling it le
France libre. It turns out that in the merchant navy, ships have the
gender of their type (navires (m.), b|otiments (m.), paquebots (m.)rCa) (le Normandie, le France), but in the navy navy they have the gender that
goes with their name, even when they're porte-avions (m. inv. - aircraft carriers). So la France libre.

I was going to add that the French navy is called "the sea army"
(l'arm|-e de mer, as opposed to les arm|-es de terre & d'air) but
checking my nonsense shows that it's now "la marine nationale". I'm
pretty sure it used to "l'arm|-e de mer" at some point. [1] I see that
Admiral de Grasse (as he's usually called in English) held the title "lieutenant g|-n|-ral des arm|-es navales".

[1] e.g., "vers 1914" <https://www.parismuseescollections.paris.fr/fr/musee-carnavalet/oeuvres/armee-de-terre-et-armee-de-mer-ordre-de-mobilisation-generale-par-decret-du>
--
The life of a repo man is always intense.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On 25/03/2026 06:08, Hibou wrote:

Le 25/03/2026 |a 05:08, Steve Hayes a |-crit :

Today:

"Fitness App Exposes French Aircraft Carrier Amid War against Iran"

Yes, I heard that a few days ago. I don't suppose it's easy writing headlines. Is it possible to do better?

-a Fitness app gives away position of carrier deployed to Middle-East

Hmm.

Your version includes "deployment" which isn't exciting, and excludes
"War" - which is far more click baity.
--
Sam Plusnet
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On 25/03/2026 00:40, Peter Moylan wrote:

On 24/03/26 22:25, Phil wrote:

Just looking at today's UK papers

"Trump touts diplomatic end to war" (Financial Times). Other than in
the term 'ticket tout', I don't expect to encounter 'tout' much.

The word "tout" carries a hint that something is fishy and perhaps
illegal. In this case, it lets the journalist hint that Trump was
probably [1] lying, without saying it aloud.

[1] In fact he was certainly lying, because I saw his lips move.

By the way, I've just read an article that said that heavy market
trading started ten minutes /before/ he made his announcement. It would
be interesting to get a list of the people who had the inside information.

Yes, I'm sure the US authorities will be looking into that (not really).
--
Sam Plusnet
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On 24/03/2026 05:30, Steve Hayes wrote:

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?

"war", "strikes", "ice cream". (OK, not that last one.)

These words are all seasonal. They come and go with wars and other bad
news, which are the stuff journalism thrives on.

Not so long ago it was "scandal", but Andrew and Epstein have faded into
the background for the moment.
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage


occam <occam@nowhere.nix> posted:

On 24/03/2026 05:30, Steve Hayes wrote:

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?

"war", "strikes", "ice cream". (OK, not that last one.)

These words are all seasonal. They come and go with wars and other bad
news, which are the stuff journalism thrives on.

Not so long ago it was "scandal", but Andrew and Epstein have faded into
the background for the moment.

So that is the one great success of the Iranian adventure.
--
athel

Living in Marseilles for 39 years; mainly in England before that,
with long periods in Singapore, California, Chile and Canada
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

Le 26/03/2026 |a 16:48, athel.cb@gmail.com a |-crit :

occam posted:

Not so long ago it was "scandal", but Andrew and Epstein have faded into
the background for the moment.

So that is the one great success of the Iranian adventure.

If not the reason for it.

--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

occam used thar keyboard to writen:

On 24/03/2026 05:30, Steve Hayes wrote:

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?

"war", "strikes", "ice cream". (OK, not that last one.)

These words are all seasonal. They come and go with wars and other bad
news, which are the stuff journalism thrives on.

Not so long ago it was "scandal", but Andrew and Epstein have faded into
the background for the moment.

Yeah, someone arranged a distraction.

-d
--
"Give a lawyer a meal and she eats for minutes; Giver her a client and
she bills hourly for years"
-- Mei Li, Kevin and Kell July 27, 2018
--- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2

From Newsgroup: alt.english.usage

On Thu, 26 Mar 2026 15:18:44 +0100, occam <occam@nowhere.nix> wrote:

On 24/03/2026 05:30, Steve Hayes wrote:

There are several words that seem to be used mainly by journalists,
and very little by ordinary people, probably because they are short
and fit neatly into a headline.

One of those that I have noticed a lot recently is "amid".

Another classic one is "looms".

Any others that strike you?

"war", "strikes", "ice cream". (OK, not that last one.)

These words are all seasonal. They come and go with wars and other bad
news, which are the stuff journalism thrives on.

Strikes, in senses other than withholding of labour, perhaps.

But war and ice cream are equally common in everyday speech and
writing.

Not so long ago it was "scandal", but Andrew and Epstein have faded into
the background for the moment.

As has the Russia-Ukraine War and the Gaza genocide fro which Andrew
and Epstein were intended to distract. It's so much easier to talk
about past evils that one cannot undo than about present ones that the
people in power do not want to stop.
--
Steve Hayes from Tshwane, South Africa
Web: http://www.khanya.org.za/stevesig.htm
Blog: http://methodius.blogspot.com
E-mail - see web page, or parse: shayes at dunelm full stop org full stop uk --- Synchronet 3.21f-Linux NewsLink 1.2