In an article about the parallels between appeasement and Brexit, we wrote that the Conservatives in the 1930s were “comparatively disinterested in safeguarding democracy and stability in continental Europe”.
I was confused, because for me the main meaning of “disinterested” is “impartial” – that is, not having an interest in either side of a dispute. I realise the word is often used to mean “uninterested”, but we should avoid making the reader pause and work it out. Just as we should avoid irritating readers who believe, wrongly, such usage is “wrong”.
Playing the percentages: The same article said the Conservative government expanded the British army by less than 10 per cent a year, “after a 600 per cent reduction in the 1920s”. This was possibly a simple mistake for 60 per cent, but we should have realised that a reduction of more than 100 per cent – that is, to zero – was not possible.
Against her will? In a report of the fallout from Theresa May’s setback at last week’s European summit, we said that at Salzburg, “EU leaders torpedoed her Chequers proposals, forcing the prime minister to accuse them of disrespecting the UK”.
As Gordon Whitehead wrote to say, she chose to make that accusation, no one forced her to. We should have said something like “prompting” or “provoking”.
Any time will tell soon: We had a marvellous slug of journalese in an article about blue wine this week: “Will we see the blue tipple popping up on menus any time soon? The social media door is open but only time will tell.” Bonus marks for “any time soon” and “only time will tell” in the same paragraph.
Forward, not back: In an editorial about the speech given by John McDonnell, the shadow chancellor, to his party’s conference in Liverpool, we said he had failed to set out precisely how Labour would nationalise the railways, energy companies and the Royal Mail, “but its direction of travel is clear”.
The phrase “direction of travel” is a deadening cliché, borrowed from the Handbook of Business Buzz Phrases Designed to Sap the Will to Live, for which there is no excuse.
The Independent has launched its #FinalSay campaign to demand that voters are given a voice on the final Brexit deal.
Sign our petition here
