Playing By The Rules
The book 1984 was mentioned on Facebook today, and it reminded me of a heated discussion from USENET several years ago. I looked up my own posts from that event and found my notes:
I keep Orwell's Rules of Language posted by the computer here. Perhaps you should too.
I) Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print. [Stephen Bierce observation: since this is a "print" medium, this rule doesn't apply as greatly as the others.]
II) Never use a long word where a short one will do.
III) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
IV) Never use the passive where you can use the active.
V) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
VI) Break any one of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
So that brings me to an important question: do I play by the rules or break them? I'll let you answer that.
I keep Orwell's Rules of Language posted by the computer here. Perhaps you should too.
I) Never use a metaphor, simile or other figure of speech which you are used to seeing in print. [Stephen Bierce observation: since this is a "print" medium, this rule doesn't apply as greatly as the others.]
II) Never use a long word where a short one will do.
III) If it is possible to cut a word out, always cut it out.
IV) Never use the passive where you can use the active.
V) Never use a foreign phrase, a scientific word or a jargon word if you can think of an everyday English equivalent.
VI) Break any one of these rules sooner than say anything outright barbarous.
So that brings me to an important question: do I play by the rules or break them? I'll let you answer that.