THE WORD WATCH

According to our readers, one of the most popular items yesterday was "The Endangered Speakies List," about the assault on our language.  (Go here.)

I want to thank the International Herald Tribune for providing a fine example for our initial offering.  In a story about Poland's shifting policy on missile defense, this line appeared:

NATO, the U.S.-led military alliance, said Sunday that the missile defense issue was essentially a bilateral discussion between Poland, the United States and Russia.

If someone can show me a bilateral discussion among three nations, I will write a passionate tribute to that person right in this space. 

And loyal reader Winefred wrote in with this gem, her definition of "speaking truth to power":

"...uttering profanities when you turn on the iron and blow a circuit breaker."

Well done.  Readers are invited to send in examples of English under assault. 

Posted at 2:20 p.m. EST, January 8, 2008.