Asked vs Said

[gmw]

Dear Dr Drib, knowing you to be a delicate soul that usually writes such tasteful and elegant prose, and seeing that JSWolf, the father-figure of this forum that everyone looks to as the voice of restraint, has failed to correct you, I feel it is incumbent on me to point out, in the simplest, clearest and most unambiguous manner that I can, that the post you made earlier this day was, actually, in full frankness, an example of a less than ideal choice of verb for speech attribution.

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by gmw

Dear Dr Drib, knowing you to be a delicate soul that usually writes such tasteful and elegant prose, and seeing that JSWolf, the father-figure of this forum that everyone looks to as the voice of restraint, has failed to correct you, I feel it is incumbent on me to point out, in the simplest, clearest and most unambiguous manner that I can, that the post you made earlier this day was, actually, in full frankness, an example of a less than ideal choice of verb for speech attribution.

And yet it was used all the time a little over 100 years ago.

And, as recently, in one of Thomas Pynchon's novels ("Against The Day"):

“Swell!” Darby ejaculated. “We’re chasing ourselves now.”

I think I first noticed it (in fiction), when I acquired some of the original Tom Swift books, the ones published at the turn of the last century, as written by Victor Appleton. I thought it was funny, at fist, until I did some research and found out that it's one of those words not much in common use today, unless one is purposefully parodying a style of writing, as Pynchon does in part of that rich, funny, HUMONGOUS novel quoted above.

[JSWolf]

Ejacualted can mean...

1. to utter suddenly and briefly; exclaim.

So yes it is valid the usage that Dr. Drib gave. But, for modern usage, it looks all wrong even if it's not. To change the usage, all I needed to do was add in a single two letter word.

[gmw]

Well, if we want to get all literal about it, you will notice that I merely said "less than ideal".

ETA: And you didn't need to add any words, Jon. Just capitalise "He" to start a new sentence.

[arjaybe]

Holmes and Watson ejaculated all over the place.

[Cinisajoy]

This was even funnier seeing as how I just read the end of billboards and how to promote.

[doubleshuffle]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

Holmes and Watson ejaculated all over the place.

... and in a family friendly way no less.

[JSWolf]

Originally Posted by arjaybe

Holmes and Watson ejaculated all over the place.

"I am not cleaning that up", Mrs. Hudson ejaculated.

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by JSWolf

"I am not cleaning that up", Mrs. Hudson ejaculated.

Can I just say...oh never mind. Can't type without giggling.

[Alyssa Miranda]

The Rowling quotes cited in support of using more descriptive alternatives to “said” remind me of Stephen King's use of similar colorful alternatives - “bawled,” “brayed,” “mewled” come to mind. I think the writing of both authors highlights the difference between literary writing, which is more or less introspective and emphasizes craftsmanship over plot, as compared to writing for a broader audience, which is more lively and fast paced, and in which plot (story telling) is all important.

Alyssa

[Dr. Drib]

Originally Posted by Alyssa Miranda

The Rowling quotes cited in support of using more descriptive alternatives to “said” remind me of Stephen King's use of similar colorful alternatives - “bawled,” “brayed,” “mewled” come to mind. I think the writing of both authors highlights the difference between literary writing, which is more or less introspective and emphasizes craftsmanship over plot, as compared to writing for a broader audience, which is more lively and fast paced, and in which plot (story telling) is all important.

Alyssa

If you want some all-out 'said' variant howlers, then you MUST read some Dan Turner PI short stories, written by Robert Leslie Bellem.

[Alyssa Miranda]

Thanks for the suggestion - will check them out!

Alyssa

[BookCat]

Well if Rowling is just a hack writer I'd love her bank account!

"Ejaculated" used to have a more general meaning: something, anything which spurted out. Over time the use has narrowed to the one we all know (and fifty percent of us love!) Which is why it's use in previous centuries makes us howl!

[Cinisajoy]

Originally Posted by BookCat

Well if Rowling is just a hack writer I'd love her bank account!

"Ejaculated" used to have a more general meaning: something, anything which spurted out. Over time the use has narrowed to the one we all know (and fifty percent of us love!) Which is why it's use in previous centuries makes us howl!

Where are you coming up with 50%? Oh never mind me. I thought the figure would be higher.

[BookCat]

Cinisajoy: MEN!

As a woman I've always found it rather a messy affair.

But this is leading into a smutty line of discourse.