The silence of Language Log
« previous post | next post »
Our much-valued readers will all be wondering why Language Log has so far said nothing about the result of the US presidential election. That is an understandable question. Most of the newspapers seem to have managed to get out editions for Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; but not us.
The answer is that we are in the position of Jack Benny in an old, old radio comedy program long ago, in a sketch where a highwayman demands of him: Your money, or your life!
There is no answer. So the highwayman repeats his threat: Your money, or your life!
And the legendarily stingy protagonist cries out, "I'm thinking it over!"