Recently, an editor informed me that a reporter from the New York Times was going to “reach out” to me soon. This was my reply:
I am on a lonely campaign to prevent another atrocity to the English language. For years now, we have been reading and listening to people use “impact” as a verb in place of “affect.” E.g. “This legislation will impact future generations.” A hideous monster-child of this usage has been the adjective “impactful.”
We have also become familiar with other mutilations: “prioritize” Instead of “give priority to,” and, most horrible of all, “incentivize,”
in place of “provide an incentive for.”
Now comes “reach out” in lieu of “contact.” This verb is vague and fuzzy, it suggests someone attempting to get hold of someone else but not quite making it all the way. It’s got a dreamy, therapeutic sound to it, as in “I reached out to help her stop drinking, but I failed.”
As a citizen of our great republic, Aaron, you are free to use this verb, but not with me. Henceforth, I beg of you, if someone is going to contact me by any means, be it phone, e-mail, letter, or carrier pigeon, please say in future communications that they will “contact” me. It’s a good, strong, concrete sort of word. I do give you leave, however, to employ alternatives, such as “get in touch with you,” or “get a hold of you.”
I have spokenized.
All best, Phil.
How many of you out there will join my crusade?
Where’s the sign-up sheet?
Let’s reach out and give those who say it the 5 of clubs.;-)
(One of my uncles used to say that.)
It generates acute sphincter muscle pain.
Seems like it’s mostly the 35-45 somethings.
This is also an age group that tends to irritate me, in general.
It’s trickled down to my 20-30 something kids.
Will attempt to nip in bud or at least cut off at the pass.
I love your writing and this noble cause.
Awaiting further orders from Crusade HQ.
USAR 1971-77
76Y20
MN
Dave
Dave: I share your irritation with that age cohort. Orders from Crusade HQ are to carry on. If anyone uses “reach out,” “concretize,” “incentivize,” or other such circumlocutions, tell them that you speak English and don’t understand them.
Roger that and willco.
You may have started something.
Unfortuantely, it’s a target-rich environment.
It seems that the god-awful sports/celebrity press conference ‘industry’ has spawned most of this tripe.
Please add ‘presser’ to the list.
On the same subject, the word SPECIAL has become like water torture, pour moi.
Sports announcers everywhere have been infected.
Continuing to march/waddle/limp…
SP4 Minea
THANK YOU for this! When I hear someone begin a sentence with “I just wanted to reach out to you”….that’s pretty much the end of the conversation as far as I’m concerned 🙂