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Anonymous Posted 16 years ago
Grammar
Read:
I was wondering about the use of "read:" that I have seen lately. Have people been using this term for a long time and I simply haven't noticed? It appears to me that the usage of "read:" is a recent fad.
Example:
- I hate those individual plastic ketchup packs (read: messy)
My questions:
- Is this a grammatically acceptable term?
- What is the proper way to use it?
Thanks!
Example:
- I hate those individual plastic ketchup packs (read: messy)
My questions:
- Is this a grammatically acceptable term?
- What is the proper way to use it?
Thanks!
Top answer
The use of "read" to make an explanatory (often sniping) aside seems familiar to me. " However, I don't find your example very typical of this usage, or very natural, because "messy" is not actually explaining a word or phrase used.
- The use of "read" to make an explanatory (often sniping) aside seems familiar to me.
- " However, I don't find your example very typical of this usage, or very natural, because "messy" is not actually explaining a word or phrase used.
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2 Answers
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The use of "read" to make an explanatory (often sniping) aside seems familiar to me. For example:
"The company said it is 'looking for strategic partners' (read: wants to be bought)."
However, I don't find your example very typical of this usage, or very natural, because "messy" is not actually explaining a word or phrase used.
"The company said it is 'looking for strategic partners' (read: wants to be bought)."
However, I don't find your example very typical of this usage, or very natural, because "messy" is not actually explaining a word or phrase used.
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Got it. I am curious if anyone knows when this term became popular as well. I have only started seeing it within the past 5 years, but perhaps it has existed for longer?
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