The English language is rather like a monster accordion, stretchable at the whim of the editor, compressible ad lib.

The English language is rather like a monster accordion, stretchable at the whim of the editor, compressible ad lib.

Great Britain and the United States are nations separated by a
common language.

Great Britain and the United States are nations separated by a
common language.

Who climbs the grammar-tree, distinctly knows
Where noun, and verb, and participle grows.

Who climbs the grammar-tree, distinctly knows
Where noun, and verb, and participle grows.

It was greek to me.

It was greek to me.

Writ in the climate of heaven, in the language spoken by angels.

Writ in the climate of heaven, in the language spoken by angels.

Thanks to words, we have been able to rise above the brutes; and thanks to words, we have often sunk read more

Thanks to words, we have been able to rise above the brutes; and thanks to words, we have often sunk to the level of the demons.

Thou whoreson zed, thou unnecessary letter!

Thou whoreson zed, thou unnecessary letter!

Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.

Under certain circumstances, profanity provides a relief denied even to prayer.

We are getting into semantics again. If we use words, there is a very grave danger they will be misinterpreted.

We are getting into semantics again. If we use words, there is a very grave danger they will be misinterpreted.