"sort of" is elitist?

[Patti J. Kurtz]

They're on crack : )  At least, according the to style guide my class
(composition) is using-- it lists "sort of" as "colloquial" and suggests
that it be avoided in writing.  A quick googling suggests the same
thing-- one handbooks suggests that "sort of" be used only in "its
grammatical context"-- giving as an example "a sort of spaghetti."

If anything, "sort of" seems to be considered the exact opposite of
"elitist."

Of course, admittedly, they're talking about writing and not speaking.

Maybe Kerry should've said "sorta."  : )


Patti Kurtz
Minot State University

jester at PANIX.COM wrote:

>---------------------- Information from the mail header -----------------------
>Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
>Poster:       Jesse Sheidlower <jester at PANIX.COM>
>Subject:      "sort of" is elitist?
>-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>This odd item appeared in today's _New York Post,_ that bastion
>of linguistic discernment:
>
>----
>John Kerry had better watch his tongue -- it's starting to
>betray his elitist leanings. The other day, he said, "This
>president sort of wandered back." Language mavens say the use
>of "sort of" as an adverb is a subtle indicator of upper-class
>origins or aspirations. You won't catch any good ol' boys in
>those vital swing states saying "sort of."
>---
>
>I don't have handy access to any usage book right now, so
>perhaps a better language maven than I can tell me: what
>the hell are they talking about? Is _sort of_ really regarded
>as a status marker? Is there anything to this story at all,
>or are they just on crack?
>
>Jesse Sheidlower
>
>P.S. Original story at
>http://www.nypost.com/gossip/19673.htm
>
>

--

Freeman - And what drives you on, fighting the monster?



Straker - I don't know, something inside me I guess.



Freeman - It's called dedication.



Straker - Pig-headedness would be nearer.