Published December 17, 2024

Lest you get the idea that I don’t know how to be a cranky old-timer about words and how they are used, I have a treat for you. You can decline the treat (but not if you keep reading).

What’s up with “declined comment”? I see this more and more all the time.

“A spokesman declined comment.”

Why not “declined to comment,” for Petra’s sake. Is that extra two-letter word so burdensome?

Declined comment? It’s not tea. It’s not dessert.

Don’t get me started on photo credits that say “courtesy” and not “courtesy of” before the photographer or contributor’s name.

Courtesy Bill Smith.

I decline to participate in such nonsense. I decline participate.

♥

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