tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811866763970314328.post1811389132604474521..comments2024-02-19T07:51:46.118-05:00Comments on Throw Grammar from the Train: Dickens's fine pointJanhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03173219179480606941noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811866763970314328.post-63895254838696140452012-07-09T03:11:22.493-04:002012-07-09T03:11:22.493-04:00I know that if I put too fine a point on a pencil,...I know that if I put too fine a point on a pencil, the point breaks upon usage and my writing is less sharp as a result. It seems to me, then, that what Dickens meant when he said "Not to put too fine a point on it" is "Not to make too much of the issue, BUT. . . ."<br /><br />If you put too fine a point on the pencil, the writing may well be unclear. If make too much of an issue, people mistakenly think it more important than it actually is.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811866763970314328.post-8395659502976897862012-02-08T16:22:14.007-05:002012-02-08T16:22:14.007-05:00British etymology site The Phrase Finder: "I ...British etymology site The Phrase Finder: "I would imagine ... <br /><br />Spend a lot of time at phrasefinder and I think you may see "<b>imagine</b> a lot.janes_kidhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10421531808505881234noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811866763970314328.post-57443991005003942712012-02-05T11:51:12.172-05:002012-02-05T11:51:12.172-05:00I always assumed it came from m'learned friend...I always assumed it came from m'learned friends.Frank Littlehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12447989626809704972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811866763970314328.post-47286029145809987032012-02-04T16:41:29.780-05:002012-02-04T16:41:29.780-05:00An overly fine edge or point on a weapon (whether ...An overly fine edge or point on a weapon (whether it be a sword or a pen) is easily damaged. Likewise with arguments.RodHhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16123909218696042008noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811866763970314328.post-2565496263905934412012-02-04T02:33:46.775-05:002012-02-04T02:33:46.775-05:00Interesting. I'd always assumed it had quite a...Interesting. I'd always assumed it had quite a simple meaning - with 'fine' meaning something similar to 'refined' - i.e. don't put too refined a point on it - just say it plainly.Sharon Longworthhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18120227975152565893noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-8811866763970314328.post-33541148783185066922012-02-04T00:32:17.509-05:002012-02-04T00:32:17.509-05:00A Google search shows that Henry James used the ph...A Google search shows that Henry James used the phrase at least once.Øhttp://voidplay.blogspot.com/noreply@blogger.com