Saturday, September 10, 2011

 

"Around" Preceding an Abstract Noun

Postmaster General Patrick Donahoe, interviewed on the PBS Newshour (September 6, 2011, How Should U.S. Postal Service's Financial Problems Be Fixed?), emphasis added:I first noticed this ugly locution (the preposition "around" preceding an abstract noun) in the corporate world approximately four years ago. Managers infected each other with this tic of speech like a bad cold, until all were repeating it. It makes me wince every time I hear it.

Other linguistic peeves: "boots on the ground," "24/7."



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