Quote:
Originally Posted by Prestidigitweeze
I'm an editor in the professional (i.e., paid, not superior) sense. Half of what we do would probably strike most readers as ridiculous.
I would argue that international readers would be better served by correct English usage than the careful avoidance of associations that might or might not be pertinent.
Which is not to say that Poppaea's idea of avoiding distracting metaphors -- however deeply built into traditional usage -- is without merit.
TGS: The question isn't whether warmth should be sacrificed to literal-mindedness, but rather if an expression of warmth is appropriate to the context. While you might or might not be fond of President Obama, if you were a member of the press, you'd always refer to him as Mr. President as opposed to say, Darling!
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As an editor, presumably you would seek to ascertain from the author whose words you are about to edit, what effect they are trying to bring about in using the words that they have.