eggcorn

[Baker, John]

        Ah, yes, the stodgy and enervated diction of Jonathan Swift.  One wonders how a writer so plodding and lacking in energy is able to find readers today.  For those who can bear it, a few reminders of the hapless old fellow's style:

        "And he gave it for his opinion, that whoever could make two ears of corn, or two blades of grass, to grow upon a spot of ground where only one grew before, would deserve better of mankind, and do more essential service to his country, than the whole race of politicians put together."

        "I have been assured by a very knowing American of my acquaintance in London, that a young healthy child, well nursed, is at a year old, a most delicious, nourishing, and wholesome food, whether stewed, roasted, baked, or boiled; and I make no doubt that it will equally serve in a fricassee, or a ragout."

        "Last week I saw a woman flayed, and you will hardly believe how much it altered her person for the worse."

John Baker


-----Original Message-----
From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU]On Behalf
Of Jonathan Lighter
Sent: Thursday, May 19, 2005 2:59 PM
To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
Subject: Re: eggcorn


Thus, French from really bad Latin.  If Swift and Defoe could read the best English-language prose of today, they'd have a hissy fit over its barbarism.  Meanwhile, to many of us, their diction has become stodgy and enervated.

"_Mutabilitas_ doth kick our arse : / Thus diction pure can scarce endure." -- Unknown.

JL