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cover of episode 'Toeing' the line. Metonymy versus synecdoche. Ghost town mad

'Toeing' the line. Metonymy versus synecdoche. Ghost town mad

2025/2/4
logo of podcast Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing

Grammar Girl Quick and Dirty Tips for Better Writing
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J
Jim Norrena
M
Mignon Fogarty
S
Sherry Sliwa
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Mignon Fogarty: 最近很多人面临“toe the line”的压力,这让我想起了2017年写过的一个技巧。这个短语应该写作“toe the line T-O-E”还是“tow the line T-O-W”呢?虽然你可以想象出两种写法都有其逻辑,但它与拉拽东西无关。正确的选择是“toe the line T-O-E”,就像你脚上的脚趾。牛津英语词典中的一个早期例子来自1834年弗雷德里克·马里奥特的小说《彼得·辛普尔》。这句话写道:“他要求我们toe a line,意思是排成一排。”“toe the line”实际上是一组短语的一部分,这些短语都与“toe”有关。早于将你的脚趾紧贴一条线,你可以“toe the mark”或“toe the trig”,一条在地上标记的线。后来你可以“toe the scratch”,也是一种标记。总的来说,这个想法是人们排成一列站在同一个地方,至少最初是为了开始比赛。你可以想象,人们排成一列,脚趾踩在一条线上,这可能会引申为服从政治议程或按照上级的意愿行事。当你写作关于“toe the line”时,想象他们站在一条真实的线上,这样你就能正确拼写。

Deep Dive

Chapters
This chapter explores the correct spelling and origin of the phrase "toe the line." It clarifies the meaning and usage, emphasizing its connection to lining up and conforming.
  • The correct spelling is "toe the line", not "tow the line".
  • It originates from people lining up with their toes on a line.
  • It implies conforming to rules or expectations.

Shownotes Transcript

  1. If you’ve ever hesitated between ‘toe the line’ and ‘tow the line,’ this episode is for you. We look at the phrase's history to clear up the confusion. Then, we look at metonymy and synecdoche — powerful literary devices that can make your writing more compelling.

 

The metonymy segment was written by Jim Norrena, MFA, who has been writing and editing professionally for more than 35 years in the publishing and academic industries within the Bay Area. After earning his MFA in Writing and a UC Berkeley Extension certification in copyediting, he founded TypoSuction.com), an independent writing and editing service. Additionally, he has taught grammar and copyediting intensives and professional proofreading workshops at Media Alliance) and served as events coordinator for Bay Area Editors’ Forum (BAEF)). 

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