Why to writers do this?

[2ffat]

I find this trend to be "irksome" at the least and a show of ignorance at the most but why do writers misuse words?

For example, I was reading an article about the death of Teddy Pendergrass when I ran across this:

He was an international superstar and sex symbol. His career was at its apex — and still climbing.

If his career was at his apex, how could he still be climbing?

Is this an attempt at hyperbole or is the writer trying to make a point with his/her ignorance of the meaning of the word? Either way, it made the article unreadable for me.

Sorry, this really irritates me.


James P. Cottingham
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[AnotherHiggins]

Well, if his career was at its highest point and climbing when he died, then I suppose that point could be described as the apex of his career - 'cause he ain't goin' no higher.

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[KenCunningham]

RIP Teddy. Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes sang one of the signature tunes of my teenage years.

The internet - allowing those who don't know what they're talking about to have their say.

 

[traingamer]

I can think of better ways to phrase it, but if the author thought that Teddy Pendergrass was at the highest point in his career and still climbing, then it's not really incorrect. (i.e. there does not have to be a drop-off to have an apex, but it's clearer if there is.)

Greg
People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use. Kierkegaard

 

[SamBones]

Writers are subject to an evil thing called a "deadline". That one evil beast is responsible for a great deal of poorly written prose. The line was probably written because it sounded good to the "ear". It probably made it to print because it was done coming up against a tight deadline and there was no time to do a proof read for what was actually being said.

Or the author doesn't know what the word means and it just sounded nice.

A similar thing that irks me is, more often than not, a writer will misuse the word "penultimate". They seem to think it's a classy synonym for "Ultimate" or "Greatest". Argh!

 

[Annihilannic]

Perhaps written in a haste similar to that applied to the subject line of this thread. ;-)

Annihilannic.

 

[BadBigBen]

Annihilannic - either that or 2ffat was just trying to drive home his point...

Ben
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[2ffat]

2ffat was just trying to drive home his point...

...and sometimes it feels like I'm using my head...






James P. Cottingham
^{I'm number 1,229!
I'm number 1,229!}