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Words and Phrases.

“pETER PENTECOST” writes:—How Fowler would have flayed the journalist who, in describing the New Year’s Eve celebrations, talked of “ the crepitation and detonation of fireworks.” An Oxford don who compiled “ A Dictionary of Modern English Usage,’' Fowler was the enemy of such words as crepitation. Although it is not stereotyped, it certainly comes in the list of words that should not be used by a journalist if he wishes to explain things clearly. Crepitation means crackling or snapping, but it is also “ the characteristic sound detected in the lungs by auscultation.” But why use the word when crackling would have conveyed the right meaning? TOUCHSTONE.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/TS19350103.2.72

Bibliographic details

Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20503, 3 January 1935, Page 6

Word Count
108

Words and Phrases. Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20503, 3 January 1935, Page 6

Words and Phrases. Star (Christchurch), Volume LXVI, Issue 20503, 3 January 1935, Page 6

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