[Roger Slater]

I wouldn't say "media" is a result of things creeping up on us, though I have no real problem with the idea of language changing over time. I think "media" in certain contexts has simply become a singular noun roughly equivalent to "the press," though perhaps more inclusive, rather than the plural noun that it is in a different language. Many words end up transcending their etymologies.

[Allen Tice]

Originally Posted by Julie Steiner

Personally, I'm far more annoyed by people saying, "I'm an alumni of [insert name of educational institution now a bit tarnished by its failure to teach this person that 'alumni' is the plural of 'alumnus']."

Julie, how about this actual recent self-description heard by my wife from an American lawyer (representing a student who was suing the NYC BOE) at the trial voir dire (she was sitting in the jury box) : "I am a by-product of the New York City Board of Education."
Toes curl?

My wife was excused from hearing the case, so I can't say how well Mr By-Product did.

[Julie Steiner]

Originally Posted by David Anthony

Digging around, I discovered that there is growing usage of 'medias' as a plural for media.

Huh. I thought I didn't care if people used "media" as a singular noun, but apparently I do, because upon hearing that some of those folks are taking the next logical step and pluralizing it, I've just broken out in hives.

[Ann Drysdale]

Julie, I itch with you.

Allen - let us hope Mr BP transcended his etymology.

My own alma mater addresses her former pupils as "alumnae". Perhaps this has some bearing on my attitude.

[Allen Tice]

Michael, after all the woofing around here, this is my own advice : in print, media defend. Elsewhere, duck and run.

[David Anthony]

Originally Posted by Ann Drysdale

Julie, I itch with you.

Allen - let us hope Mr BP transcended his etymology.

My own alma mater addresses her former pupils as "alumnae". Perhaps this has some bearing on my attitude.

I take it you went to a girls' school, Annie? My own alma mater continues to make a careful distinction between alumni and alumnae.

[Ann Drysdale]

Indeed, David. JAGS in Dulwich. LCC scholarship kid.

In full: James Allen's Girls' School. The first test on admission was to ensure we got the apostrophes right.
.

[Douglas G. Brown]

Originally Posted by Allen Tice

Julie, how about this actual recent self-description heard by my wife from an American lawyer (representing a student who was suing the NYC BOE) at the trial voir dire (she was sitting in the jury box) : "I am a by-product of the New York City Board of Education."
Toes curl?

My wife was excused from hearing the case, so I can't say how well Mr By-Product did.

Well, he probably lost the case. Perhaps he had flunked out of some of the best law schools in America, and passed the bar exam on his fifth attempt.

[Michael Juster]

Law schools value checking a lot of boxes quickly on "issue spotters" and usually do not reward or punish for quality of expression.

I don't say that bitterly--I did pretty well for someone who largely stopped going to class.

[Allen Tice]

Also, remember this happened in Brooklyn, where the barrister's line could have been seen as a palpable blow against the Board of Ed's shield of efficiency. Few there are that would knowingly twice elevate their noses to sniff disdainfully at Brooklyn's uncommon common sense.