statistic. "Statistic" (= a single term or datum in a statistical compilation) is a back-formation from "statistics" dating from the late 19th century. Today its correctness is beyond challenge. E.g.: o "This statistic is a dramatic turnaround from surveys done as recently as five years ago." Vince Vawter, "Snapshot Shows City Growing in Multiple Ways," …

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Miscellaneous Entries. statutory rape (= sexual intercourse with a female below the age of consent, regardless of whether it occurs against her will) is an Americanism that originated in the 19th century. Originally, statutory-rape laws applied only to female victims, but today the great majority of American states have sex-neutral legislation dealing with this offense. …

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stated otherwise. "Stated otherwise," when used at the very beginning of a sentence, is a pompous version of "in other words." E.g.: "Stated otherwise [read 'In other words'], while conservatives contend UDI by Quebec after a victorious Yes vote would be revolutionary and seditious, pragmatists claim Ottawa's refusal to heed the clearly expressed wishes of …

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Standard English (3). Today: Sociolinguistics. Although some linguists are fond of saying that a standard language is preferred not for any linguistic reason but merely for social reasons, the social factors that affect language users can’t readily be — and shouldn’t be — divorced from linguistics. That is one of the tenets underlying the field …

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Standard English (2). Today: Social Disapproval. Throughout the 20th century, commentators noted (sometimes in strong terms) the social disapproval that attaches to nonstandard English. Mostly this is put in negative terms. If you don’t speak Standard English, you’re at a social and professional disadvantage — e.g.: o “The intelligent people of America use reasonably pure …

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Standard English (1). Today: What Is It? This is a troublesome term: we all think we know what it is, but a definition proves elusive. Broadly speaking, it is the English used by educated people. Some Britons contend that it is the English used by educated Britons, and that whatever is used by educated people …

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Miscellaneous Entries. statistics = (1) the mathematics of collecting and analyzing numerical data; or (2) numerical data. Sense 1 is singular {statistics is an exacting discipline}. Sense 2 is plural {the statistics aren’t yet in}. status (/STAT-uhs/ or /STAY-tuhs/) forms the plural "statuses" (or, in Latin, "status"), not *"stati." status quo; status quo ante; *status …

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stalactite; stalagmite. They're both deposits of calcium carbonate found in caves and caverns. The difference is that a "stalactite" hangs from the ceiling, while a "stalagmite" rises from the floor. Writers sometimes fall into error by using "stalagmite" for "stalactite" — e.g.: "The Dripstone Trail Tour is a leisurely hour-plus trek known for delicate sodastraw …

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squash; quash, vb. "Squash" (= to flatten or soften [something] by forceful crushing or squeezing) is not a substitute for "quash" (= to overturn or make legally invalid; to suppress, as a rebellion). Many writers err on this point — e.g.: o "The Alabama story ends for the moment with criminal indictments, and with Windom …

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stadium. Although several dictionaries seem to prefer *"stadia" as the plural, "stadiums" is the more natural and the more usual form. "Stadiums" is also 30 times as common — e.g.: o "Dozens of stadiums have sprouted up all over the country in recent years." Lisa Respers, "Funds Sought for Stadium in Aberdeen," Baltimore Sun, 28 …

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spring / sprang / sprung. So inflected. But "springed" is correct when the sense is "equipped with springs" {a springed mattress} {springed hinges} or "to spend the season of spring" {they springed in Europe}. (The latter usage will strike many readers as more than a little odd.) The real challenge with these words is to …

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sprightly. "Sprightly" (= [1] lively, airy; or [2] zesty, esp. spicy, in flavor) is subject to the mischievous misspelling *"spritely" — e.g.: o "Will she end up a bitter, washed-up star a la Baby Jane, psychologically torturing her spritely [read 'sprightly'] sis Jamie-Lynn? Let’s recap Britney's recent bizarre behavior." Tamara Ikenberg, "Not So 'Lucky," Courier-J. …

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Miscellaneous Entries. standby. The plural is "standbys" (not *"standbies"). stand in line; stand on line. While both phrases must be accepted as standard, "stand in line" predominates in most of American English. But the regionalism "stand on line" prevails in the New York City area and elsewhere in the Northeast, and it is heard (and …

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spread / spread / spread. So inflected. The weak form of the verb (*"spreaded") is erroneous — e.g.: o "According to Ms. Lucas, Deborah Isabelle's character and 'motivation' spreaded [read 'spread'] to other students." Antonio R. Harvey, "Bright Futures," Sacramento Observer, 21 June 1995, at A9. o "He spreaded [read 'spread'] the wealth around, throwing …

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