680News - Lisa Brandt

In the 680 newsroom we spend a lot of time discussing words. Sometimes the correct use of a word sounds wrong but we always choose to go with what’s correct. As an example, people sometimes mix up clichés like, “nip it in the bud” or “champing at the bit”. They say “butt” or “chomping”. Former and current schoolteachers and others never hesitate to tell us when they believe a mistake has been made, as is their right.

One such debate concerned the word “whether.” One of our editors insisted that whether must always, and without fail, be followed by “or not.” This is not the case, a fact that’s supported by every dictionary, but it’s difficult to talk someone out of his or her long-held belief about our language.

Opinions are in abundance every time one of us describes a flag as being “half-mast” or “half-staff.” Someone is always quick to point out the origins of the words, whether at land or at sea, and decide on their appropriateness given the location of the flag in question. I phoned a linguist at the University of Toronto who told me that language is fluid and it is now perfectly acceptable to use either half-mast or half-staff no matter if the flag is on land or a boat – but people don’t tend to believe that especially if they had the definitions drilled into their heads in school.

My own personal pet peeve is the modification “very” for “unique” which has always meant one of a kind. However, this same linguist said that English has been stretched and twisted mostly by misuse and it has now evolved to a place where unique can also mean rare. Still, I can’t bring myself to say “very unique.” I can barely make myself write it!

Words are the raw materials from which we create our newscasts. We take them seriously and while we all strive to use them properly there are bound to be those who believe otherwise. It’s the debate that makes things interesting in the word game.