From: utzoo!decvax!ucbvax!mo Newsgroups: net.flame Title: Death to "utilize" Article-I.D.: ucbvax.823 Posted: Tue Feb 8 07:36:11 1983 Received: Fri Feb 11 03:12:06 1983 I am sick to death of the word "utilize" being misused as a substitute for the much more pleasant word "use". What is wrong with "use"? It is simpler to type, much easier to spell (no conflicts between British and English spellings), and infinitely more pleasing to the ear. I know, "utilize" sounds more officious and lends that air of knowledgeable pomposity, but no, everyone WANTS to sound this way! Give it a try - every time you start to say or write "utilize" (or even worse, "utilization") try "use" (or "usage") instead. Have Windmill? Will Tilt. -Mike PS - Let me take this opportunity to recommend some reading to the flamers on both sides of the linguistic aisle: both books by Richard Mitchell: (1) "Less Than Words Can Say" (available in paperback), and (2) "The Graves of Academe" (don't know about paperback - mine is hardback).