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#149416 10/26/05 03:49 AM
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On a CNN broadcast today, concerning the impact of the most recent hurricane to batter Florida, the male anchor said that he was "efforting" to reach a person by telephone. God save us all.

#149417 10/26/05 11:01 AM
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no prescrip here, but that's just yucky.


formerly known as etaoin...
#149418 10/26/05 11:21 AM
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Actually, effort is a verb in the OED, but it means to strengthen or fortify.

The verb that "accompanies" effort is efforce, according to the OED, and means to force oneself or to make an effort.

I had not known either of these.

Too bad I had to learn them from such an ugly verbification.

#149419 10/26/05 12:14 PM
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"He efforted his spirits with remembrance ... of what formally he had been."

Thomas Fuller. 1662. Worthies. (Secundum OED1.)

Of course, it sounds strange, is marked as obsolete, and is the only citation for effort qua verb. La!


Ceci n'est pas un seing.
#149420 10/26/05 12:58 PM
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That is, "he fortified himself . . . " yes? which wouldn't pinch hit for "make an effort" in the newscaster's strained utterance.

#149421 10/26/05 01:17 PM
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The meaning has changed since the 17th century.


Ceci n'est pas un seing.
#149422 10/27/05 01:34 AM
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Quote:

On a CNN broadcast today, concerning the impact of the most recent hurricane to batter Florida, the male anchor said that he was "efforting" to reach a person by telephone. God save us all.




Are you imploring the Deity's protection of us from hurricanes or from those with a tin ear for the English language?


Bingley
#149423 10/27/05 04:28 AM
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Are you imploring the Deity's protection of us from hurricanes or from those with a tin ear for the English language?

Hurricanes inhere in the nature of the planet. There is no controlling much less correcting them. Ignorance, on the other hand, is vincible (in most cases) and deserves an effort at correction. Bottom line: I wrote a letter to CNN.

#149424 10/27/05 08:56 AM
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Quote:

The meaning has changed since the 17th century.




Given that there is only one recorded occurrence prior to the anchor man's (may be sink with with his title), I'd say that was not just a change, but a quantum leap. No, a lousy coinage is a lousy coinage is a lousy coinage.

Last edited by inselpeter; 10/27/05 08:57 AM.
#149425 10/27/05 11:01 AM
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Relax people. In a couple years it'll sound as normal as "contacting."

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