Every time I hear this phrase, I'm left a little puzzled. I think I know what they are trying to emphasize, but is this correct? And if it is acceptable, would a phrase like that be left alone or would copyeditors replace it with a more commonly used phrase?
5 comments:
This is what's called an idiom. See my post on the dictionary of idioms I found online.
Idioms are more commonly found in dialogue than other kinds of writing. In those cases, they are generally left alone unless used incorrectly.
Sorry, Chi, I found that the dictionary I cited wasn't any help at all! Please take a look at this page from World Wide Words.
I’ve always liked how Yoda talks. I think the editor of the Star Wars manuscript would have done a horrendous evil if he or she had corrected Yoda’s lines into “proper” contemporary English.
Wise copyeditors are like Yoda: they know what to correct and when to correct.
Post a Comment