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.

Spoken language is merely a series of squeaks.

Spoken language is merely a series of squeaks.

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?

Don Chaucer. well of English undefyled
On Fame's eternall beadroll worthie to be fyled.

Don Chaucer. well of English undefyled
On Fame's eternall beadroll worthie to be fyled.

And who in time knows whither we may vent
The treasure of our tongue? To what strange shores
read more

And who in time knows whither we may vent
The treasure of our tongue? To what strange shores
This gain of our best glory shall be sent,
T' enrich unknowing nations with our stores?
What worlds in th' yet unformed Occident
May come refin'd with th' accents that are ours?

The English language is rather like a monster accordion, stretchable at the whim of the editor, compressible ad lib.

The English language is rather like a monster accordion, stretchable at the whim of the editor, compressible ad lib.

The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean

The difficulty of literature is not to write, but to write what you mean

A special kind of beauty exists which is born in language, of language, and for language.

A special kind of beauty exists which is born in language, of language, and for language.

It's no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase "As pretty as an airport" appear

It's no coincidence that in no known language does the phrase "As pretty as an airport" appear