"Canada is one of the only countries..."

[nq:1]Our CBC has let me down again. After hearing "Canada is one of the only countries to..." on the twelve o'clock news, my peeve detector/processor kicked in, and I didn't hear what it is we're doing or not doing.[/nq]
I'm not sure what the objection is.
If I say "Canada, France and Upper Volta are the only countries I've never visited," is that OK?
And if it is, why can't I say "Ca

John Hall at (Email Removed) says in
(Email Removed):
[nq:1]Our CBC has let me down again. After hearing "Canada is one of the only countries to..." on the twelve o'clock news, my peeve detector/processor kicked in, and I didn't hear what it is we're doing or not doing.[/nq]
The Australian Broadcasting (amateurish to the Core)poration is another broadcasting outfit that keeps the vener

[nq:2]Our CBC has let me down again. After hearing "Canada ... didn't hear what it is we're doing or not doing.[/nq]
[nq:1]I'm not sure what the objection is. If I say "Canada, France and Upper Volta are the only countries I've never visited," is that OK?[/nq]
That has my Seal of Approval.
[nq:1]And if it is, why can't I say "Canada is one of the only countries I've never visited"?[/nq

"One of the only..." doesn't break any language rules; it just contains a superfluous word, viz. "only". You are one of the only countries to do thus & so if & only if you are one of the countries to do thus & so. There is nothing in the sentence for "only" to limit or emphasize.
I suspect that this solecism is a blend of "The only country" & "One of the few countries".
In "Canada is the o

[nq:2]Our CBC has let me down again. After hearing "Canada ... didn't hear what it is we're doing or not doing.[/nq]
[nq:1]The Australian Broadcasting (amateurish to the Core)poration is another broadcasting outfit that keeps the venerable "one of the only" style ... it is, then it should be regarded as being no less valid than any other habit of speech or writing.[/nq]
Valid in what sense

[nq:1]Our CBC has let me down again. After hearing "Canada is one of the only countries to..." on the twelve o'clock news, my peeve detector/processor kicked in, and I didn't hear what it is we're doing or not doing.[/nq]
"...ban the sterilization of people who say things such as 'my peeve detector/processor kicked in."

Precisely what it means in MC's first sentence, i.e.:

OED2:
"One (or, by extension, two or more), of which there exist no more, or no others, of the kind."
Cambridge Advanced Learner's Dictionary:


"used to show that there is a single one or very few of something, or that there are no others"
Infoplease Dictionary:

on 31 Oct 2003:
[nq:1]Our CBC has let me down again. After hearing "Canada is one of the only countries to..." on the twelve o'clock news, my peeve detector/processor kicked in, and I didn't hear what it is we're doing or not doing.[/nq]
We recently had a long discussion about this very topic in AUE, so I doubt that many of the regular posters here are willing to go through it all again. I

Jerry Friedman at says in (Email Removed):
[nq:1]Valid in what sense? I'll bet no one has told you that if a habit of speech or writing exists, ... I've heard and read it mostly from journalists. I think it sucks ugly and I intend never to use it.[/nq]
Peace, dear Jerry. I couldn't disagree with you less. I've been an agent provocateur, and you've been duly provoked.
I invite you to r

[nq:1]"...ban the sterilization of people who say things such as 'my peeve detector/processor kicked in."[/nq]
I have been sterilised, but too late, my progeny are in circulation.

John W Hall (Email Removed)
Cochrane, Alberta, Canada.
"Helping People Prosper in the Information Age"