Who'd a thunk it?

[sagehen]

>Peter  writes:
>Yeah, but I don't think any of those is a true substitute for "hopefully."
>When I say "hopefully" (which I always tried not to if my parents were
>within earshot), I don't mean I, we or anybody else specifically hopes.
>
>Also, "it is hoped" may be  the same number of syllables as "hopefully,"
>but it's three words, or four if you add the "that" that you need if you
>want to attach it to another clause.*
~~~~~~~
*I did spot this weakness in my protest after I sent the squawk.

As for the first point, it does seem to me that saying "hopefully" in order
to spread the blame around a bit is a lot like choosing a passive
construction to avoid  coming right out with a forthright statement.  It
has a kind of mealy-mouthed quality.

Speaking of parents, my mother, who survived well into the ascension of
"hopefully," deplored it, of course, but also at least two of my children
are similarly inclined, and would take me to task if I used it.

AM




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