Orally or in writing: Difference between revisions

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Not quite the conceivable possible universe of communications it aspires to denote, this tiresome trope is all the more irksome for failing competently to state the bleeding obvious it intends.  
“Orally or in writing” means “in spoken or written form”. It is sub-investment grade flannel meant to capture ''any'’ sort of communication by which a legal agreement might be reached.  


To be sure, “[[orally or in writing]]” amply covers the spoken and written word, but that leaves out the whole ecosystem of nods, wags, shaken heads, facial tics and cocked eyebrows,which can operate to communicate more devastatingly than this inept legal {{tag|flannel}} which tries to wipe them away, especially if you happen to be Roger Moore, Leslie Phillips or Kenneth Williams.
{{Quote|''Any person affected by safety zone or an order or direction issued under this subchapter may request reconsideration by the official who issued it or in whose name it was issued. This request may be made [[orally or in writing]], and the decision of the official receiving the request may be rendered [[orally or in writing.]]''
:::''Code of Federal Regulations of the United States (Port and Waterways Authorities) - 1976'' }}
 
This tiresome trope is all the more irksome for ''not'' being the statement of the bleeding obvious it means to be. “[[Orally or in writing]]” omits the rich ecosystem of non-[[verbal]] communications — the kinds of nods, wags, shaken heads, facial tics and cocked eyebrows on which Roger Moore built an entire career — which can convey [[offer]], [[acceptance]] and [[consideration]] more compellingly than any inept legal {{tag|flannel}} like “oral or written" can wipe away.


[[mediocre lawyer|Punctilious attorneys]] look down at the laiety when they mistake “[[verbally]]” and “[[orally]]”, but the last laugh is on them: “Verbally” is a neater, and less stupid-sounding, expression than [[orally or in writing]] for which it is an exact synonym.
[[mediocre lawyer|Punctilious attorneys]] look down at the laiety when they mistake “[[verbally]]” and “[[orally]]”, but the last laugh is on them: “Verbally” is a neater, and less stupid-sounding, expression than [[orally or in writing]] for which it is an exact synonym.


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Revision as of 17:51, 5 November 2016

“Orally or in writing” means “in spoken or written form”. It is sub-investment grade flannel meant to capture any'’ sort of communication by which a legal agreement might be reached.

Any person affected by safety zone or an order or direction issued under this subchapter may request reconsideration by the official who issued it or in whose name it was issued. This request may be made orally or in writing, and the decision of the official receiving the request may be rendered orally or in writing.

Code of Federal Regulations of the United States (Port and Waterways Authorities) - 1976

This tiresome trope is all the more irksome for not being the statement of the bleeding obvious it means to be. “Orally or in writing” omits the rich ecosystem of non-verbal communications — the kinds of nods, wags, shaken heads, facial tics and cocked eyebrows on which Roger Moore built an entire career — which can convey offer, acceptance and consideration more compellingly than any inept legal flannel like “oral or written" can wipe away.

Punctilious attorneys look down at the laiety when they mistake “verbally” and “orally”, but the last laugh is on them: “Verbally” is a neater, and less stupid-sounding, expression than orally or in writing for which it is an exact synonym.

Plain English Anatomy™ Noun | Verb | Adjective | Adverb | Preposition | Conjunction | Latin | Germany | Flannel | Legal triplicate | Nominalisation | Murder your darlings

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