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Joined: Mar 2000
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Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 6,511 |
OK, it's peeve time: I'm hearing this more and more in news reports and it's getting real old real quick. Where else you gonna be if not on the ground? In a plane? On a ship? If that's the context, and a contrast is being drawn, OK. If not, the wrath of ASp is upon you.  Seems in "some circles" I have a reputation to uphold around here.... 
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 87
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 87 |
Step up to the plate.
By golly, I'm SO TIRED of hearing this! Anna, please save a bit of your wrath for this one, OK?
What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? -Ursula K. Le Guin, author (1929- )
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Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 3,467 |
Betsy,
I've not heard this. Is that Fox News or summin? Can you give us a bit more context?
The ones I hate are "ramping up" and "growing a business."
TEd
TEd
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,290 |
I had thought it meant "reporting with feet on the ground" as opposed to sitting in an armchair or with eyes in the sky.
Ceci n'est pas un seing.
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,556 Likes: 1
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,556 Likes: 1 |
I think we're supposed to be impressed by the fact that the reporter is actually present at the scene of the action, rather than in a control room miles away or some other remote place.
Isn't that where it's happening, baby? Right where it's at? You better believe it!
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Geesh, folks, it's just an expression. You don't have to be impressed by the fact that the reporter is on the scene in Rillarillabad instead of in a bar in Nukehavistan, but it is a piece of information. And it can be used in reference to anyone. Soldiers on the ground in Bait as-Sahain are in a much different situation than those in Camp Swampy.
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154 |
Having the reporter at the place the action is happening is worthwhile info but there are other terms that could be used for variety: front-line, on-site, on the scene, reporting from, eyewitness report from, on location at. . . .
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Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,379 |
'in the air, at sea?'
I think that's probably just the contrast that is being drawn -- that or 'on a map.' It sounds like a military term that the press has adopted -- and that in itself could be interesting. ... Still, I see your point.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 13,803 |
Sure, there's other ways you could say it. There's always other ways you could say it. Why pick on this one in particular. You might as well rail against the phrase "around the corner" as in "Oh, the old Same place? It's just around the corner."
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Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 87
journeyman
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journeyman
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 87 |
Faldage, you been reading the Onion again?
What sane person could live in this world and not be crazy? -Ursula K. Le Guin, author (1929- )
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