On the other hand...

I know I said I would try not to be so critical of poor usage, but some things I simply can't let slide. A recent article on chron.com ran a lede about leakage in a fuel line on the space shuttle that explained how engineers were working to "staunch" the flow.

I believe they meant to use the word "stanch." To be fair (a problem of mine, I'll admit), the two words are related. But in terms of usage, "staunch" is an adjective meaning "firm or steadfast in principal." Probably not what the NASA engineers were trying to accomplish with the gas leak.

Whereas "stanch," on the other hand, is a verb meaning "to stop the flow of a liquid."

To me, the choice couldn't be simpler, especially for someone who is paid to know which words to use in order to clearly communicate a message. If one of my kids mistakenly used "staunch" for "stanch," I wouldn't be nearly as bothered by it. In fact, if a colleague made the same slip, I would be okay (mostly). I work in financial services, so it's reasonable that someone who is paid to understand annuities and income streams and guaranteed minimum withdrawal benefits might occasionally select the wrong word when discussing a gas leak, or a leak of any sort of liquid.

But newspaper writers are supposed to know better. And where was the editor in this case? (Yeah, right.) It bugs me. A lot. I just can't help it.

Comments

[scl]

Here you go. Paragraph 7 in today's NYT:
http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/11/05/a-lincoln-photograph-and-a-mystery/?ref=opinion

[Erin K. Rice]

That's perfect. Not a "stanch" Republican, but a "staunch" one. Thanks, Dash.