Sir, – It is amusing how harmless linguistic tics can cause such annoyance. (Letters, November 26th-27th)
The word that does it for me is “basically”. If in the unlikely event that I fall into conversation with a quantum physicist, then he or she can use as many “basicallys” as there are beads on a rosary.
However, I am displeased when I ask a simple question and some jumped up jackass responds with a sigh of, “Basically”. It is as if I were a simpleton and he (it is usually a he) is coming down from the lofty heights of academia to explain, in the simplest vernacular, that the bus to Glasnevin can be picked up at Parnell Square.
So basically, when using language, remember those of us whose linguist nerves are raw, and speak softly, because you are speaking with the vexed.
– Yours , etc,
KEVIN RYAN
London.