Too is ordinarily not to be used with the past participle of verbs, unless followed by the word much. Undesirable: He was too disturbed to speak. Correct: He was too much disturbed to speak. Ugly, in its strict sense, means ill-looking, or disagreeable in appearance. It ought not to be used for ill-tempered or vicious. Incorrect: You had better keep away from that dog, for he is ugly [vicious]. Correct: That is an ugly [unattractive] vase. Permissible: The ruffian was in an ugly temper. Unique means alone of its kind; it should not be used for odd or unusual. Incorrect: She is a very unique woman. Correct: She is a very odd [or a most unusual] woman. Correct: The unique copy of this work is in the British Uplift as a noun is not in good use. It is correctly used as a verb. Bad: He is striving for the uplift of the masses. > Very should ordinarily not be used with the past participle Waiting on, meaning waiting for, is a provincialism. Want in is a provincialism for want to come in. Way is not permissible as a substitute for away. Bad: They could see the camp-fires way up on the mountain. Better: They could see the camp-fires away [or afar] up on the mountain. Which. See And which. Win out is a slang term for win. The former expression should be avoided. You, in the indefinite sense, is to be used only rarely. "Beyond the orchard you can see the brook" is more suitably rendered, "Beyond the orchard one can see the brook." The application of this rule, however, depends upon the general tone of the discourse; in the familiar essay, colloquialisms are not objectionable. Yourself and myself are properly used only as reflexives and as terms of emphasis. Crude: Yourself and your friends are invited. Bad: Myself and my mother had a narrow escape. 17. VULGARISMS The following expressions are to be avoided because they are in bad taste or actually vulgar: 1 1 See also "The Bookman's Inferno": Bookman, September, 1908. 18. HACKNEYED EXPRESSIONS the light fantastic the briny deep the rolling waves the cradle of the deep the demon rum eyes like stars marble brow swan-like neck damask cheek alabaster brow furrowed brow hoary head silvery locks wondrous fair filthy lucre the grim reaper all that was mortal of the arms of Morpheus downy couch a fish story dull thud the table groaned more forcible than polite single blessedness a happy benedict brawny arms brave as a lion ran like a frightened deer nipped in the bud flushed with pride poor but honest hoping you are the same a single tree stands like a sentinel the cottage nestles below the hill the rippling waves the birds were singing their morn ing songs my childhood days some one has said in the words of the poet the lake stretched like a mirror a river like a silver ribbon the moon in all its glory fair as a goddess her queenly form eyes of heaven's own blue the contracting parties the happy pair the blushing bride Rich as Croesus The bounding billow Bated breath Green with envy No sooner said than done The worse for wear Reigns supreme A sumptuous repast The dreamy mazes of the waltz Engaged in commercial pursuits A few well-chosen words Gives the finishing touches to the Succulent bivalve Conspicuous by its absence picture The finny tribe 19. HACKNEYED QUOTATIONS Time and tide wait for no man Bring down my gray hairs with sorrow to the grave The bosom of his family A consummation devoutly to be Darkness that could be felt wished There's the rub My prophetic soul More in sorrow than in anger The sleep of the just The cup that cheers Patience on a monument Lo, the poor Indian From Dan to Beersheba The king of terrors Lick the dust His name is Legion Clothed and in his right mind His better half It is better to have loved and Thereby hangs a tale lost Method in his madness A thing of beauty Music, heavenly maid A shocking bad hat The best-laid plans of mice and The head that wears a crown men Two heads are better than one None but the brave deserves the Faint heart ne'er won fair lady fair The green-eyed monster Kind words can never die Grave and reverend signiors The last rose of summer It smells to heaven The ills that flesh is heir to A woman scorned Hell is paved with good intentions | Death loves a shining mark The observed of all observers A poor thing but mine own A mute inglorious Milton The sturdy oak and clinging vine Arose as one man A perfect woman nobly planned Plain living and high thinking Improve each shining hour Take the good the gods provide Ring out, wild bells Stolen sweets Better late than never Birds in their little nests agree To the bitter end Born to blush unseen Nominated in the bond Sermons in stones Some have greatness thrust upon them The staff of life The straight and narrow way Passing fair Frailty, thy name is woman Full of years and honors Music hath charms O, wad some power the giftie gie us Night, sable goddess The poet's eye in a fine frenzy rolling As good as she was fair Kind hearts are more than coronets Chewing the cud of sweet and Pride will have a fall bitter fancy Heart whole and fancy free In maiden meditation, fancy free The wind blew great guns How are the mighty fallen In the spring a young man's fancy |