Madam, - The concern expressed by Eddie Haughey (March 10th) about the abuse of the English language is touching. However, he may be comforted by the knowledge that he keeps good company - Charles Dickens, no less, expressed much the same sentiments in his time.
Bill Bryson, in his history of the development of modern English, Made in America, comments on Dickens's disdain for the changes being wrought to the language by the inhabitants of the New World, expressed by the great man after a visit there in the mid 19th century.
However, Dickens's own use of uncultured Americanisms such as "talented" reliable" and "lengthy," which he had unwittingly absorbed on this travels and which later appeared in his own books, in fact helped to ensure that these terms entered general usage.
Bryson also notes that the practice of using nouns as verbs - particularly abhorrent to Mr Haughey - actually began as early as the 17th century ("to scalp", 1693) and included others commonly used to this day (to "interview", to "highlight" to "panic" to "progress" to "engineer" to "boost", etc.).
Clearly, the English language is a moveable feast - highly organic, constantly changing and adapting to society's needs, fashions and whims. At the risk of driving Mr Haughey mad entirely, then, might I suggest that he "chill"? - Yours, etc.,
F. SHALVEY, Dundrum, Dublin 16.