Around and Around Again

I’ve commented on this before, but around is rapidly becoming an epidemic. And one that needs to be contained.

Of late, around has been taking the place of better and clearer words like on or about.

These have all been seen or heard in recent weeks:

• conversations around X
• discussions around Y
• research around Z
• a point around A
• rules around B
• allegations around C [of would be better here, rather than on or about]
• charges around D [ditto]
• issues around E
• a piece around F
• a profile around G
• questions around H
• legislation around I

Stop the around insanity!

It is, admittedly, a bit less awful than regarding or concerning (stuffy lawyerisms, both), but not much.

–Neil Guthrie (@guthrieneil)