William Safire
American journalist
WORDS ABOUT WORDS
If the native speakers want to use a word in a new or broader sense, and persistently ignore all authoritarian strictures to the contrary, then that usage becomes "correct." Consider the sage advice of Claude Swanson, F. D. R.'s Secretary of the Navy, on the subject of acquiescence to the inevitable: "When the water reaches the upper level, follow the rats."
—William Safire, American journalist, The New York Times, March 20, 1994
Posted on November 18, 1999 at 5:36 PM
WORDS ABOUT WORDS
Oratorical success does not ensure political success, as can be seen, but those among us who love political language -- and realize what it can do to uplift and lead -- hold out the hope that it helps.
—William Safire, American journalist, Safire's New Political Dictionary, 1993
Posted on November 28, 2000 at 11:10 PM
WORDS ABOUT WORDS
The Watergate coinage was followed by a two-year linguistic silence: Gerald Ford's presidency was unique in this century for not producing a single memorable phrase. . . . Reflecting his caretaker presidency, Mr. Ford's language provided time for lexicographers to digest the tumult of the 1973-74 period and to prepare for a return to normal phrase production.
—William Safire, American journalist, Safire's New Political Dictionary, 1993
Posted on June 16, 2000 at 11:52 AM
WORDS ABOUT WORDS
People who are unwilling to try new words are the type who refrain from dunking doughnuts.
—William Safire, American journalist, The New York Times, 1994
Posted on November 16, 1998 at 7:17 AM
WORDS ABOUT WORDS
English is a stretch language; one size fits all.
—William Safire, American journalist, The Great Permitter, 1980
Posted on July 22, 1999 at 9:21 PM
WORDS ABOUT WORDS
Modern war needs modern lingo.
—William Safire, American journalist, The New York Times, May 4, 1986
Posted on November 30, 2001 at 10:01 AM
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