Triangle Grammar Guide

Longtime N&O journalist Pam Nelson writes about language use and misuse and answers questions about grammar and style. Readers can weigh in on what annoys them, too. Think of this as your online grammar class. Send e-mail to Pam at pam.nelson@newsobserver.com.

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Word watch: doorstep as a verb

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I ran across the word "doorstepped" in a story about a British journalist today. I didn't understand what it meant even in context. So I looked it up.

The Oxford English Dictionary offers this definition: of a press reporter, etc.; to call upon or wait on the doorstep for (someone), in order to obtain an interview, photograph, etc. Apparently this is primarily a British term, although the practice occurs elsewhere. 

That practice is one of the reasons I made a timid reporter when I was trying to be one early in my career. I just found it hard to talk to strangers on the phone or on the street.  I am grateful, as many readers should be, for the brave, confident reporters who can talk to strangers, even waiting for newsmakers to come out of their private houses and onto the public streets. I know that it's hard for many reporters to talk to people who are experiencing terrible news, and I admire those who can do it with grace and understanding. The paparazzi (from Italian) who make a living swarming over celebrities and newsmakers seem to find more courage in a pack, though, making their jobs less seemly.

Here is a story from the Guardian about the etiquette of doorstepping.

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dertghj kas kasadet

dertghj kas kasadet sancısına ne iyi gelirhadi garierotik film izle - fersbuk - aşk falı - dertyli - cinsel pozisyonlar - henbi sıcak sohbet - gerdsacvbnm
günaydın mesajları demi
- - - ferdsazx isyan sözleri - gertyu -escort bayanlar hertfders - bedava film izle - gertyuliseli kızlar -fersd aşk şiirleri - merty çet -certylş şifalı bitkiler ve faydaları - gbnmöç. dul bayanlarla sohbet gtredsa - islami çet treds-playboy güzelleri bgtyuıop - çet hyuopğ
çetleşme jklşi
çet sohbet - hjklşhikayeler - htres çet sohbet asd
müzik dinle fgtre -sohbet - gbnmöçtürkü dinle jmöç
şarkı dinle ujklş
film izle uıkl - cinsel pozisyonlar grtyu
escort bayanlar -frty
rted- sohbet - gerkapak laflar - ert
sohbet peki

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About the blogger

Pam Nelson began her career as a writer in 1976 and has worked in various editing jobs at The News & Observer since 1987. She has won awards for her headline writing and has taught college classes in copy editing and seminars in grammar and usage.
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