George Butler, who is making a documentary about Sen. John Kerry, says Kerry’s thoughtful
younger brother Cameron “will have a very central role in any Kerry administration.”
Provided, of course, that Kerry wins the Democratic presidential nomination and the general
election.
In honor of President’s Day, it’s time to point out that Cameron Kerry’s role will either be
central or not. It cannot be “very central.” There can be no degrees of “central,” just as there can
no degrees of “unique,” as in very unique.
Other pet language peeves? How about “kick off”? Football and soccer begin with a kick-off,
not races and campaigns — as in “Bush to kick off race, campaign” —
or parades, speeches, protests, deals, meetings, plans, days, nights, contests, or anything
else. And how about “at
the end of the day”? Isn’t it time to bag that phrase? Or does
everybody who uses it really want to sound like a Hollywood jerk? (Besides, have you ever heard
more
This is not to prize narrow rules of grammar and usage above all else. The vitality of the
language depends on change and flexibility, and also accuracy of expression. The author
Nelson Algren once described his disagreement with a publisher this way: “I was adamant. He
was adamanter.” That’s a violation of the rules, but it’s pure poetry.
