Cal Thomas: The decline of proper English

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MYRNA BROWN, HOST: Today is Thursday, May 29th. Good morning! This is The World and Everything in It from listener-supported WORLD Radio. I’m Myrna Brown.

MARY REICHARD, HOST: And I’m Mary Reichard. The beginning of summer offers columnists the opportunity to address subjects they might otherwise avoid the rest of the year. Today WORLD commentator Cal Thomas takes a break from the culture wars and instead wages battle on a different front: his catalog of English language pet-peeves.

CAL THOMAS: Inattention to proper English seems to be a subject few bother to address. I have a list of misused words and phrases that in the past might have labeled a person “uneducated.”

Here are just a handful of what could be hundreds, even thousands, added almost daily to my gallery of misspoken words.

People who appear on TV are frequently guilty of mangled English. One phrase that is especially annoying is: “As you can see.” Someone should remind them, yes, we CAN see … because it’s television.

“Obviously” is repeatedly used by some of the most experienced news anchors. If it is obvious, why are you telling me about it?

Why do reporters use words the rest of us don’t? No one says to their neighbor, “who are you voting for in the mayoral or gubernatorial election?” Only TV people say that. A “goober” is a chocolate covered nut or a label kids used to call phlegm when it was coughed up. And I can’t find the meaning of “natorial” anywhere. Mayor and governor will do just nicely.

And now for a quick list of everyday offenders. “Like” and “you know” are used as sentence fillers. Like what? If I know, why are you telling me?

“Here” and “there” are other unnecessary sentence place holders.

“At the end of the day” is a meaningless statement. Would that be standard or daylight time?

How about “All eyes are on…”? Really?

“Gearing up” is a substitute for preparing, or getting ready. But do people have gears?

Many politicians refer to: “The American people…” as if we are united in our beliefs. If we were, we wouldn't have two parties…or Independents.

Then there’s: “If you will.” Well, what if I won’t?

Why do so many young restaurant servers respond when you thank them by saying “no problem” instead of “you’re welcome”?

Airports have a language all their own. “Pre-boarding” is one favorite. You can get on before others, or board early, but you can’t pre-board. It’s an impossibility, like pre-existing.

And speaking of airport phrases that don’t actually mean anything…at each gate there’s a readout on the screen with a countdown clock labeled: “time to boarding.” It almost always expires before you are allowed on, assuming the plane is even at the gate. Eventually the screen changes to “boarding soon” … as if that clears things up. If it’s really delayed, the screen just goes blank.

That brings me to the instructions for my airplane seat – it must be returned to its “full, upright and locked position.” Isn’t that redundant?

A few more…“bombshell” used to refer to an especially attractive woman. Now it is used to describe almost everything…except an explosive device. Cliché.

“World changer” is a common label for an individual who apparently has powers no one else possesses. But if someone could change the world—would it not have been changed by now, presumably for the better?

And finally, if someone has “come under fire...” should we call the fire department?

Something really ought to be done about these words and phrases. The teaching of what was once called “proper English” apparently has been replaced by social agendas and a refusal to correct its misuse. It’s becoming obvious to anyone with ears to hear and eyes to see, you know.

I’m Cal Thomas.

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