Mr. Churchill’s Advice On Use Of Words
LONDON, Nov. 3.—The use of short words and direct language was again advocated by Mr. Churchill—who once returned a civil servant’s report with the note: “This is nonsense up with which I will not put“—when he received the “Sunday Times” literary ■prize.
An expression, he said, that was very common was “in short supply,” and he demanded, “Why can’t you say ‘scarce’? Then there is ‘broken down.’ All this means is ‘sifting,’ or if you wish to be more erudite, you say ‘analyse.’ ” Mr. Churchill declared that avoidance of common cliches was important. “Broadly speaking.” he added, “the short words are best, and the old words, when short, are best of all.”
He also declared: “Everyone should spend time reading. You must refresh the mind. You feed a cow; why should you not feed the mind?”
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Wanganui Chronicle, 5 November 1949, Page 5
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143Mr. Churchill’s Advice On Use Of Words Wanganui Chronicle, 5 November 1949, Page 5
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