Words: challenge, v.
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.TO REVISE a classic risks pillory. Eric Partridge would wearily understand Janet Whitcut's prefatory remark to her new version of Usage and Abusage (Penguin) that some of his vigorous battles are long lost and "no longer worth discussing".
She, too, includes "vogue words", albeit briefly: "basically", "hands- on", "paradigm", "caring", "dimension", etc. Absent is one noted by the computer guru Derek Goodlake: reports are now challenged, not queried or questioned. Challenge has gone through many shades of meaning. Via Old French, it is from Latin calumnia, false accusation. In a dispute, it should mean a shot across the bows, not sniping. As grim is a neighbourhood's "regeneration", often used by the MP Ivor Caplin when he means more chain- stores.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments