Bird Camp Diaries: February 2008
The Bird Camp Diaries are nothing more than whimsical monthly musings. I hope you find them entertaining, and sometimes thought provoking.
Avidly Against "Avid Hunters"
Story by Anthony Hauck
PF/QF Public Relations Specialist
Every New Year's Day since 1976, tiny Lake Superior State University has released its annual List of Words Banished from the Queen's English for Mis-Use, Over-Use and General Uselessness. The 2008 list included such nuggets as "random" and "sweet" and the annoying phrases "it is what it is" and "under the bus."
With that in mind, allow me to submit my early entry for 2009 consideration: The phrase "avid hunter."
While not grammatically incorrect in its usage - avid is an adjective meaning enthusiastic or dedicated - the phrase used far too often by hunters in describing their interest and more so by lazy writers in describing their subjects. I myself am guilty of continually giving the phrase life.
In a completely unscientific attempt to prove my point, I Googled (a word sure to make the banished list at some point) the phrase "avid hunter" and compared it against two other phrases where "avid" is commonly used.
- "Avid moviegoer" 15,200 results
- "Avid sports fan" 255,000 results
- "Avid hunter" 256,000 results
The results unequivocally prove my point. The phrase must go.
The first step in any recovery plan is admitting the problem. The hunting community needs to come together and recognize this for the pandemic it is. It's not like we're without solutions. There are nearly 200,000 words in the English dictionary, of which approximately one-quarter are adjectives. Surely some will suffice as replacements.
And perhaps we need none. A hunter needs not the aid of descriptive filler to make a point. A hunter, as they say, is what it is.
Anthony Hauck has been an avid hunter his entire life.
Remember, if you have story ideas, dog photos, pre-1980 hunting photos and requests for future On The Wing consideration, please send correspondence to ahauck@pheasantsforever.org.
If you have story ideas, dog photos, pre-1980 hunting photos and requests for future On The Wing consideration, please send correspondence to ahauck@pheasantsforever.org.
Return to On the Wing: February 2008"On The Wing" Archive
- On the Wing: July 2008
- On the Wing: June 2008
- On the Wing: May 2008
- On the Wing: April 2008
- On the Wing: March 2008
- On the Wing: February 2008
- On the Wing: January 2008
- On the Wing: December 2007
- On The Wing: November 2007
- On The Wing: October 2007
- On The Wing: September 2007
- On The Wing: August 2007
- On The Wing: July 2007
- On The Wing: June 2007
- On The Wing: May 2007
