NewsDay editors don’t learn

by Posted on

Now, I understand what you’re trying to say here, Phillip Chidavaenzi. The word emasculation does have effect when you apply it to yourself, but listen, Phillip, it’s not universal.

The clue was right there, Phillip, in the spelling; eMACSCULate … take a hint.

Etymology

From Latin emasculare, from e- + masculus (‘male, masculine’)

Verb

to emasculate (third-person singular simple present emasculates, present participle emasculating, simple past and past participle emasculated)

  1. (transitive) To deprive of virile or procreative power; to castrate; to geld.
  2. (transitive) To deprive of masculine vigor or spirit; to weaken; to render effeminate; to vitiate by unmanly softness.

I know I’m being pedantic here, but like I said last time, kids read these papers as examples of good and proper English. And if you don’t know the language, practise your journalism in Shona or Ndebele or Chewa or whatever feels comfy to you.

Or go to work for The Herald.

Published by Joe Black

8 Replies to “NewsDay editors don’t learn”

  1. it touches me when darkies are called out for breaking english – a second and sometimes third language – but, i shall not be touched when said darkies use wierd phrases like “emasculate”, “betterment”, “conscientisation” and “balance the gender scale” – and then see their arses.

    WTF is ‘balancing a gender scale’? YTF cant the ninja just write ‘equality’?

    saka, time-time waakutoenda kuKeg so? and then time-time wakutoenda kumaRasta so? shaa …

    p.s. yes, u’re being pedantic 🙂

  2. Vanopenga, people shouldn’t use words they don’t fully understand, and even if they do, dictionary first mhani AH!

    Yes nhasi obvious bhawa then marasta, usadherere.

  3. Mos I hear what you are saying but if you are on TV, radio or writing mupaper nhau then represent. You have to make an effort. it’s like news presenters of old who would phone an embassy to get the proper pronounciation of the ambassador or presidents name.

    it’s about standards. if you put yourself out there then you will have to do the job.

  4. Truth.

    and on that note, my favourite ninja is that american bloke on Etv weather – dude pronounces phalaborwa, polokwane, oudtshoorn and graaff reinet like he was born in this muthafizzle 😛

  5. Oh my God … these people? This was purpotedly written by a WOMAN, who should know that “beau” is male.

    “Beaus gather for Miss Zim finals” – http://www.newsday.co.zw/article/2011-01-27-beaus-gather-for-miss-zim-finals

    Noun

    beau (plural beaux or beaus)

    1. (dated) A man with a reputation for fine dress and etiquette; a dandy or fop. ?[quotations ?]
    * 1811, Jane Austen, Sense and Sensibility, chapter 21

    “I do not comprehend the meaning of the word. But this I can say, that if he ever was a beau before he married, he is one still, for there is not the smallest alteration in him.”
    “Oh! dear! one never thinks of married mens’[sic] being beaux—they have something else to do.”

    2. (dated) A male lover; a boyfriend. ?[quotations ?]
    * 1917, Kate Douglas Wiggin, Rebecca of Sunnybrook Farm, p. 142:

    Hannah’s beau takes all her time ‘n’ thought, and when she gits a husband her mother’ll be out o’ sight and out o’ mind.

    * 2009, Philippa Bourke, Monsters and Critics [1], Dec 10, 2009:

    Kristin Davis has taken time out to enjoy the surf and sand with her Australian beau, photographer Russell James.

    3. A male escort.

  6. thats special …

    and this,

    “The camp will see contestants travelling to various tourist attractions, attending several presentations from renowned business, investment and tourism gurus … as well as government officials.”

    throwing the lambs to the wolves …

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