Why this Blog?

A place where I can lament the changing times; for eccentric comments on current affairs and for unfashionable views, expressed I hope, in cogent style; also occasional cris de coeur largely concerned, I regret to say, with myself.



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I welcome your comments, so do please write. Please note however that all comments are moderated prior to publication. Whilst I fully appreciate that life can be frustrating, nevertheless, abuse, SMS language and illiteracy will not be tolerated!

Monday, 24 September 2012

Misplaced Courtesies

WARNING! WARNING WARNING! RANT AHEAD!


What possible reason can the BBC amongst others, have for dignifying terrorists, religious hate-purveyors, murderers, thugs and other scum with the title of 'Mr' (or indeed 'Mrs', 'Miss', or  'Ms')?

Makes my blood boil, so much that I may well post further examples in the future.


Meanwhile at the BBC, peers of the realm are frequently referred to by their given names, a kind of reverse snobbery I think - unless of course said peers are lefties and may have expressed a desire to be addressed thus which in my view, is rather sad in itself.

Readers of this blog who have been robust enough to remain loyal may recall that I lived for six years in France.  I remarked to a cousin that I found it charming that even the young there greeted each other with certain courtesies - two kisses (three in Haute Savoie) and/or a handshake.  My cousin agreed that this was charming indeed, "a great social lubricant" was his observation about this politeness.

Here in England we seem to have got it wrong in two senses.

Until the next time

UPDATE:

Here's another example: "Mr Collins" indeed!  I think not.

7 comments:

Anonymous said...

"What possible reason can the BBC amongst others, have for dignifying terrorists, religious hate-purveyors, murderers, thugs and other scum with the title of 'Mr' (or indeed 'Mrs', 'Miss', or 'Ms')? "

..otherwise we would have to refer to them as Lord, your Honour,the Right Honourable,deputy leader or ex prime minister.



leave it to Armando to find a name for a politicion.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fJMNHu9YM-4

regards Mr.A.Nonymous

Paul said...

Well I don't agree; just the surname I think, or perhaps "scumbag" might suffice in certain cases.

This is a good example: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-19743729

Anonymous said...

`tis surely the literary habit of using the full name in the text the first time it is used and employing the title thereafter. Much like using a full title of an organisation and using the acronym in any text that follows


perhaps Fowler knows

regards Mr.O`Nonymous

Paul said...

Yes, by all means, use the Christian name and surname for the first mention, after that just the surname, or "scumbag" as appropriate.

Fowler? I fell out of love with Fowler (I once owned a copy of English Usage") on discovering that Fowler ruled that split infinitives were acceptable. Not to this pedant I'm afraid; therefore I am no longer willing "to boldly go" there!

Anonymous said...

I`ve always regarded "lily livered whores melt" as an ideal alternative for scumbag........

regards Mr. O`Nonymous

Paul said...

Yes, nice.

I like the French (very offensive) putain de bordel de merde. tho' this is mostly used as an interjection.

Anonymous said...

"It's like wiping your arse with silk"