NY Times Says Good-Bye to “On Language” Column

For 32 years, a highlight of the Times Sunday Magazine section has been the “On Language” column. For many years, the late William Safire dealt with trendy clichés, rules of grammar and style, and his pet peeves. Most recently, Ben Zimmer has ably carried on the Safire legacy. 

Now, the new editor of the magazine section, Hugo Lindgren, has decided to end the column. Apparently, he is also ending the popular “The Ethicist” column. There is some hope for a reversal. I am doubtful. See the posting on The Economist blog. All of us who care about wordsmithing have lost a treasured companion.

(ljs)