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Better English 55
Timely Communications Tips
February 10, 2011
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IT'S AN EZINE
-- IMPACT IS NOT A VERB
-- THE GOBBLEDYGOOK CHECK
-- THE SWIPE FILE: CRUSHING WANT

One subscriber wrote after the last issue to say how much she enjoys my e-newsletter.

Of course I was pleased. That was just before another subscriber referred to it as my "blurb."

And another reader thinks I'm sending out a "letter thing."

Actually, "Better English" is an electronic newsletter, or e-newsletter, or ezine. It's delivered electronically as a regularly distributed publication about communicating better to 1,500 subscribers.

IMPACT IS NOT A VERB
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 A research site at evri.com invites you to "Discover the breaking stories that impact you."

"Impact" is not a verb. "To impact" means to strike forcefully, drive close together or to wedge tightly.

At ESPN, we read: "Here's what he had to say about how Drury's injury could impact the Rangers' trade deadline approach."

The Malaysian News Agency reports, "Summer floods in 2010 impacted about one-fifth of the Pakistan,"

Used correctly, meaning a striking of one body against another, a forceful contact, or a major effect, we arrive at these phrases:

"We could not withstand the impact."

"Verizon Iphone 5 will have huge impact on Androids."

"China's latest interest rate hike will have little impact on the housing market, according to industry observers."

Click Here! How to Find a Writing Job


THE GOBBLEDYGOOK CHECK
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 Our journalists know that they must change gobbledygook to readable language.

A recent example surfaces with our learning from Reuters News Agency that former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin attempted to trademark her name and that of her daughter, Bristol. The application failed because the forms were unsigned.

Here's the gobbledygook from the U.S. Patent Office:

"Registration is refused because the applied-for mark, SARAH PALIN, consists of a name identifying a particular living individual whose consent to register the mark is not of record,"

I admit that I always need a dictionary for "gobbledygook."

Here's a tip on spelling challenges. Try phonetics:

  1. gobble
  2. dy
  3. gook

THE SWIPE FILE: CRUSHING WANT
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 In these times of economic challenges, we write and speak a great deal about the financial difficulties so many citizens face.

You may want to put "crushing want" in your swipe file.

President Franklin D. Roosevelt, speaking at his 1932 nomination, said, "These are unprecedented and unusual times...the greatest tribute that I can pay to my countrymen is that in these days of crushing want there persists an orderly and hopeful spirit ..."

Yours sincerely,
Barry Beckham


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