October 2009
4 posts
Seriatim is my WOTD
se⋅ri⋅a⋅tim
[seer-ee-ey-tim, ser-] adverb, adjective:
in a series; one after another.
Used to great effect in this language maven’s NYT column on 6/15:
“Each time I see a split infinitive,” [Sotomayor] is on record as saying, “an inconsistent tense structure or the unnecessary use of the passive voice, I blister.” Let’s take her written judgments seriatim:
Obama's Meeting with the Dalai Lama is Delayed →
From bad:
“In an attempt to gain favor with China, the United States pressured Tibetan representatives to postpone a meeting between the Dalai Lama and President Obama until after Obama’s summit with his Chinese counterpart, Hu Jintao…”
To worse:
“Before a visit to China in February… Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said advocacy for human rights...