Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/11/27
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Donal, Its just that the word 'oxymoron' has seen increasing use in the media, hence the reason you see it more frequently and unfortunately more often. Peter K > ---------- > From: Donal Philby[SMTP:donalphilby@earthlink.net] > Reply To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us > Sent: Thursday, November 25, 1999 6:59 AM > To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us > Subject: [Leica] Quiet Screaming > > Well, I have to be a defender of the English language and encourage the > proper use of the terms oxymoron. This is the Leica list and Leica's > are, among other things, about precision. > > Eric Welch wrote: > Such is the oxymoronic term "candid portrait." > > Not to pick on Eric (he is much too erudite and careful of most things), > but I hear more and more the misuse of this wonderful-on-the-tongue > word. > > So says the Oxford English Dictionary, volume XI: > > A thetorical figure by which contradictory or incongruous terms are > conjoined so as to give point to the statement or expression; an > expression, in its superficial or literal meaning self-contradictory or > absurd, but involving a point. (Now often loosely or erroneously used > as if merely equals a contradiction in terms, an incongruous > conjunction). > > It goes on to quote Germain Greer, from the Female Eunuch, "It would be > oxymoronic to claim to be gently, reliably or sensibly in love." > > And there is a debatable truth. > > We might agree, though, that William Klein's work, especially his book > on Japan as, perhaps, a "riotous symphony" or Sam Abel's work as > "booming quietude." > > The oxymoron is related to the metaphor, that most wonderful of all > literary devices. > > And, this being the internet, there you have my quiet scream. > > donal > -- > __________ > Donal Philby > San Diego > www.donalphilby.com > >