Lost for Words - John Humphrys

Ranting is a popular thing these days. On television, in newspapers...even in the Speaker's Corner section of this site, people like to stand up in front of others and moan about something or other that is rubbing them up the wrong way. Some of these are interesting and some funny but a lot of the times they are just irritating. So, when I get my hands on a book that all but has the word rant in the subtitle, I'm never entirely sure which way it's going to go. John Humphrys is a name I know best with a "Beep, beep, beep, beep, beep, beeeeeeep" prefix having been brought up on Radio 4's Today programme. The dust jacket of the book also tells me he ...  Read the complete review

John Humphrys is one of a number of writers and media luminaries who have lately turned their attention to modern trends in the use of the English language. Like most of his confrères, he finds much to deplore. Humphrys' book 'Lost for Words' is aptly subtitled 'The Mangling and Manipulating of the English language'. In 'mangling' and 'manipulating' it encompasses two distinct themes. The first is how clumsy or convoluted usage can rob words of their meaning and impede clear thought. The second is how cynically contrived usage can mislead people and manipulate their thinking. On the first of these themes he is interesting and often amusing, but he ...  Read the complete review