Our native language is like a second skin, so much a part of us we resist the idea that it read more

Our native language is like a second skin, so much a part of us we resist the idea that it is constantly changing, constantly being renewed.

Language is fossil poetry.

Language is fossil poetry.

How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?

How can I tell what I think till I see what I say?

Thou whoreson zed, thou unnecessary letter!

Thou whoreson zed, thou unnecessary letter!

Pedantry consists in the use of words unsuitable to the time,
place, and company.

Pedantry consists in the use of words unsuitable to the time,
place, and company.

And don't confound the language of the nation
With long-tailed words in osity and ation.

And don't confound the language of the nation
With long-tailed words in osity and ation.

The learned fool writes his nonsense in better language than the unlearne, but it is still nonsense.

The learned fool writes his nonsense in better language than the unlearne, but it is still nonsense.

We are getting into semantics again. If we use words, there is a very grave danger they will be misinterpreted.

We are getting into semantics again. If we use words, there is a very grave danger they will be misinterpreted.

Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides.

Language exerts hidden power, like the moon on the tides.