"
We sometimes hear the expression, "I was very pleased," but the
critics insist upon "I was very much pleased," or "greatly pleased,"
or "very greatly pleased."
Vicinity
Often too high-sounding a word for the thought; neighborhood is less
pretentious.
The old man
The use of such words as dad, daddy, mam, mammy, the old man, the old
woman, when applied to parents, not only indicates a lack of
refinement, but shows positive disrespect. The words pap, pappy,
governor, etc., are also objectionable. After the first lispings of
childhood the words papa and mamma, properly accented, should be
insisted upon by parents, and at
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the age of twelve or fifteen the words father and mother should be
substituted and ever after used, as showing a proper respect on the
part of children.
Great big
"He gave me a great big apple." This is a colloquialism that should be
avoided. Use large.
Argue, Augur
"The hollow whistling of the wind among the trees argues an
approaching storm.
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