“Java coffees are dull and easy, though they are statistically strong.”

The following directions for anchoring in a gale of wind are taken from a book called “How to Sail a Boat":—­

“When everything is ready, bring the yacht to the wind, and let the sails shake in the wind’s eye; and, so soon as she gets stern-way, let go the best bower anchor, taking care not to snub her too quickly, but to let considerable of the cable run out before checking her; then take a turn or two around the knight-heads,” etc.

If a landsman’s safety depended on his understanding these directions, there would not be much hope for him.

The following extract is from a newspaper report of a game of ball:—­

“In the eighth inning Anson jumped from one box into the other and whacked a wide one into extreme right.  It was a three-base jolt and was made when Gastright intended to force the old man to first.  The Brooklyns howled and claimed that Anson was out, but McQuaid thought differently.  Both teams were crippled.  Lange will be laid up for a week or so.  One pitcher was batted out of the box.”

This narrative may seem commonplace to school-boys, but to their mothers and sisters it must seem alarming.

Our second conclusion, therefore, is that a person who wishes to be understood must avoid words and phrases that are not understood, and understood in the same sense, in every part of the country, and in every class or profession.[3]

REPUTABLE USE.—­Let us examine now the effect produced by a third kind of expression, namely, words and phrases “not used by writers and speakers of established reputation."[4] Let us take as our illustrations the familiar expressions, “He done it” and “Please set in this seat.”  Each of these expressions is common at the present time, and its meaning is instantly clear to any one who speaks English.  But these expressions, not being used by well-informed and careful speakers, produce in the mind of a well-informed bearer an impression of vulgarity like that which we get from seeing a person eat with his knife.  In language, as in manners and fashions, the law is found in the custom of the best people; and persons who wish to be classed as cultivated people must speak and write like cultivated people.  There is no moral wrong in a person’s saying “Please set in this seat,” and if he does say it he will probably be understood; but persons who use this or any other expression which is not in reputable use run the risk of being classed as ignorant, affected, or vulgar.

GOOD USE.—­It appears, therefore, that words and phrases, in order to be proper expressions for use in English prose, (1) must be in common use at the present time; (2) they must be used, and used in the same sense, in every part of the country, and in every class and profession; (3) they must be expressions used by writers and speakers of established reputation.  In other words, our expressions must be in present, national, and reputable use.  Expressions which fulfil these three conditions are said to be in good use.