Linguistic Authority Quotes

'When I use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, 'it means just what I choose it to mean - neither more nor less.'

When I use a word,’ Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, ‘it means just what I choose it to mean — neither more nor less.’ ’The question is,’ said Alice, ‘whether you can make words mean so many different things.’ ’The question is,’ said Humpty Dumpty, ‘which is to be master — that’s all.

The one thing - apart from assumptions about German - that I have to challenge frequently is people assuming that lexicographers are fierce protectors of the language when in fact our job is not to put a lid on it.

The older you get, the more power you have with language as a writer, which means that you have to be extra responsible for what you say, whether it's in print or in front of a microphone, because those words can go out and kill or go out and plant seeds for peace.

The power of language, it seems to me, is the only kind of power a writer is entitled to.

Grammar, which knows how to lord it over kings, and with high hands makes them obey its laws.

Certainly ordinary language has no claim to be the last word, if there is such a thing.

We invented words; we'll tell you how they're supposed to sound.

Only presidents, editors and people with tapeworm have the right to use the editorial 'we'.

No person or set of persons can properly establish a standard of expression for others.

I believe in the magic and authority of words.

I find myself using Spanish words much more now that I'm older, and I guess I have the authority to do it in public spaces in ways that I felt I couldn't when I was teaching here fifteen years ago.