esrosedotblog

A SORE THUMB

William Safire, Nixon Speechwriter and Times Columnist, Is Dead at 79

Safire is a contemporary.

I didn't like his politics.

I loved his language column in the Times. So that is what I will remember.

Wry, iconoclastic, serious and almost maniacal about proper use, he held the high ground against sloppy prose and sloppier usage.

At the same time, he was fascinated with slang and supported its inclusion in the usage.

I learned a lot from him. I am not sure that I still know how to do it all but he had an influence.

If you are interested, and you should be, listen to the "interactive" tape. It is very well done. Well, it would be. It is Safire. And, you will find out why I titled this "A Sore Thumb".

Labels: culture, heroes