Let’s choose our words more carefully

Since when did 'insane” become the adjective de rigueur of journalists, particularly sportswriters and sportscasters?

The Vikings signed their new quarterback to an insane multiyear contract. The Hawk coach got two technicals in the first half … that's insane! Thanks to an insane final 400 meters, Jenny Simpson set a new American record for the two-mile run.

Perhaps 'insane” has come into vogue to replace the equally trite 'crazy.” My trusty Thesaurus lists no fewer than two dozen synonyms for insane, not one of which seems to fit in the preceding examples.

Continuing on my soapbox, I have also become 'pretty” irritated with television weather forecasters. Tomorrow will be pretty windy, pretty cold, pretty cloudy, pretty sunny ... pretty pretty pretty! Pretty please … open your Thesaurus!

The sign above the express lane in my local supermarket warns us to limit ourselves to 'less than 10 items please.” I'll leave that challenge for another day!

D.I. Gallagher

Marion