Comments on: Brio

By: nick

nick — Sun, 05 Dec 2004 03:45:27 +0000

Verve = giving some nerve to your verbs. Sort of. At least, that’s what Thomas Gray was thinking about, and he’s among the earliest to use it in English.

By: vim

vim — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 23:38:35 +0000

“If anyone has any strategies for revivifying oneself…” Brio yourself a nice cuppa.

By: HP

HP — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 20:47:08 +0000

Anders, Rob: I think “every other word” really means “50 percent on average.” Try this (spelling and punctuation cleaned up): A rule: you’re through. Every word, have you? No. Vigour will give style.

By: Njorl

Njorl — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 18:55:19 +0000

How about a compromise between Italy, coffee and the tribal vomitting – have a nice espresso and belch afterwards. I always feel good after a good belch.

By: Mary Kay

Mary Kay — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 16:32:21 +0000

Kieran, Is this the first sign of impending burn-out? I suggest that you get away, take a break, and get some sleep. Then take the time to think about why you went into Sociology. Yoga, long walks in the country with my dog, and good conversation help me.

By: cloquet

cloquet — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 16:13:57 +0000

Sure wish I had the reference for this one. I read a short science journal article about 10 years ago, which described the morning rituals of a tribe in Central or South America. Every morning, the men got together and drank an extremely strong concoction of coffee, and then proceeded to throw up together also. They did this every single day. Maybe Mr. Healy will try this one. Might have some trouble getting those guy partners, but sure would beat going to the coffee bar just for some free wifi internet, when there are so many other superior brio socializing opportunities. Do you think that might qualify as brio? That brio ref was okay, bad jim, but I know you can do better. I challege you to come up with a better one than this.

By: Patrick Belton

Patrick Belton — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 15:25:10 +0000

Feel better! I second the suggestion above about Italy, but caffeine is possibly both cheaper and nearer. Disclaimer: of course, I’m speaking as an addict.

By: harry

harry — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 14:28:18 +0000

Your own suggestion was to read Peter Cook, which during my recent bout of pneumonia made me more cheerful, if not any better.

By: rob

rob — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 14:24:32 +0000

Like this: As general run pen every word have you no what it give your (sorry, it was irresistible)

By: Anders Widebrant

Anders Widebrant — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 10:34:17 +0000

My copy of The Economist Style Guide quotes Sydney Smith: “As a general rule, run your pen through every other word you have written; you have no idea what vigour it will give to your style.”

By: Doug

Doug — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 10:21:47 +0000

“If anyone has any strategies for revivifying oneself…” Italy.

By: Jackmormon

Jackmormon — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 07:02:33 +0000

Semi-serious strategy of revivification: read the most poetic, obscure theorist in a field slightly adjacent to yours. Benjamin’s Arcades Project is currently making me sit up and want to argue.

By: Alex H.

Alex H. — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 06:05:38 +0000

“If anyone has any strategies for revivifying oneself…” Brioche.

By: Kieran Healy

Kieran Healy — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 05:53:12 +0000

I guess it’s true that lawyers tend to be stronger on biro than brio. But surely Eugene is an exception.

By: cloquet

cloquet — Thu, 02 Dec 2004 05:46:50 +0000

Wow, Mr. Volokh really got you on that one Mr. Healy. You think it is possible for a paper titled “Child Custody and Speech Restrictions” to have verve and brio? Mostly pathos, I would guess. Mr. Volokh must know, that we like boring and predictable in our lawyering, and he must have learned his lessons well. Too much verve and brio in a lawyer, well, that just makes us nervous.