Prose Parade
Grammar and writing basics

I heard this one on TV. Who am I kidding. I’ve heard this screamer plenty. It was only last night that the blog entry came to mind. My question is what are false facts? My answer is there aren’t any.

Facts are true and real by definition. My beloved American Heritage dictionary has a usage note. It says that adjectives can modify facts for emphasis. Phooey. It goes on to say, “The true facts of the case implies something different from the facts of the case, which can refer to all the particulars surrounding the case, not just to what actually happened to bring the case about.” Double phooey. What an incredibly weak rationalization.

Just the facts, ma’am.