Kappa Tracks

"A story is made up of words and characters. Are the words well chosen and do the characters live? All the rest is literary gossip."

My six decade love affair with the English language compels me to offer a list of authors whose work meets my critical standards. The single criterion operant is the quality of the prose as composed by the writers. I have made no discrimination whatsoever as to subject matter, theme, or plot.

Therefore be warned!

A great many of the works here listed may involve themes or subjects repugnant to some readers. I can only advise that if a particular story cannot be stomached, go on to the next; you will find at least a few to be to your taste.

Wednesday, July 01, 2009

figure of speech...

Having recently encountered a small confusion in
the usage of a certain imagery...
I believe that to describe the
origin for this particular figure of speech would
eliminate a writerly dilemma...
************
Traversing rough country, a rider on horseback
will allow the bridle straps to lie loose on the animal's
neck, decreasing the pull on the bit.
The animal, thus signaled to find its own way, and
knowing quite well where it is placing its hooves,
will pick a sure path through uncertain terrain.
*****************
This particular bit of horsemanship is
called...(wait for it!) "free rein"
*****************
I have seen it written as: 'free reign'... and
with a nod(& a snarl)to "ear-spelling"
such a spelling doesn't quite convey the
intended image.
****************
Thus said, it is worth noting that a certain wordmaster
managed a most erudite 'pun' of the confusion.
"Evidence for the cause of this great dying is so
sparse that speculation receives free rein(and reign)."
S.J.Gould(1983)

posted by greshunkai @ 6:27 PM

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