Economy
Economy
(OP)
OK, you wouldn't guess it from my posts but i admire economy.
There is an art in using the langauge to convey whole concepts in a very few words. Often there are constraints of time or space or attention span within which to transmit the message.
I'll give you two examples.
In Kojak, with Telly Savalas, one phrase epitomised this for its conciseness and the force of its descriptive power. Kojak describes a particular group as "little finger martini drinkers."
In advertising, perhaps the best i have encountered is Castrol Oil's description of its product as "liquid Engineering".
If i could write reports with this economy, or craft phrasing that compels belief, i would be more effective. But creating is tough. It would be nice to have a glossary of such phrases with which to beguile management.
Any contributions?
There is an art in using the langauge to convey whole concepts in a very few words. Often there are constraints of time or space or attention span within which to transmit the message.
I'll give you two examples.
In Kojak, with Telly Savalas, one phrase epitomised this for its conciseness and the force of its descriptive power. Kojak describes a particular group as "little finger martini drinkers."
In advertising, perhaps the best i have encountered is Castrol Oil's description of its product as "liquid Engineering".
If i could write reports with this economy, or craft phrasing that compels belief, i would be more effective. But creating is tough. It would be nice to have a glossary of such phrases with which to beguile management.
Any contributions?





RE: Economy
But to be fair, the reason many of our technical writtings get so long winded is due to liability concerns.
Ray Reynolds
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Economy
If your neat phrase shades the meaning in any way away from your actual intent then it does not belong in a technical report.
Cheers
Greg Locock
RE: Economy
An author in the 19th or early 20th century (I can't recall who) was travelling overseas, and wanted to know how his latest book was selling. He sent the shortest telegram he could think of to his publisher. (This was some time before the advent of mobile phones and e-mail, and telegrams were charged by the character sent.):
?
He got an equally concise response from his publisher by return telegram:
!
RE: Economy
RE: Economy
Editor: Why Unnews?
FC: Unnews goodnews
Ed: Unnews unjob
which seemed to epitomise the manager/staff relationship perfectly!
Good Luck
johnwm
RE: Economy
The telegraphed report was "sighted sub sank same".
RE: Economy
RE: Economy
http://www.EsoxRepublic.com
RE: Economy
RE: Economy
I like to be thorough, except in instances where I am asked to do something outside my job function, then I love to be tedious, hoping that the “powers that be” won’t ask me ever again. Unfortunately, I haven’t learned my lesson yet.
Ray Reynolds
"There is no reason anyone would want a computer in their home."
Ken Olson, president, chairman and founder of Digital Equipment Corp., 1977
Have you read FAQ731-376 to make the best use of Eng-Tips Forums?
RE: Economy
And other assigned duties.
RE: Economy