Quite a Quote!

Everyday quotes for everyone.

James Murray: Language

‘Language is mobile and liable to change. It is a free country, and man may call a “vase” a “vawse”, a “vahse”, a “vaze”, or a “vase”, as he pleases. And why should he not? We do not all think alike, walk alike, dress alike, write alike, or dine alike; why should not we use our liberty in speech also, so long as the purpose of speech, to be intelligible, and its grace, are not interfered with?’

—James Murray, lexicographer and editor of the Oxford English Dictionary (7 Feb 1837-1915). 


Discover more from Quite a Quote!

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Published by

Discover more from Quite a Quote!

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading