Word of the Day
The word of the day is unquestionably ‘prorogue.’
prorogue: a. trans. To discontinue the meetings of (a legislative or other assembly) for a period of time or until the next session, without dissolving it. Also: to adjourn (a meeting).
This is such an unwieldy and rare word, that I don’t see why the news service isn’t just using ‘suspend.’
suspend: a. trans. To debar, usually for a time, from the exercise of a function or enjoyment of a privilege; esp. to deprive (temporarily) of one’s office.
This is journalistic question – we are encouraged to avoid jargon. The CP stylebook states:
Avoid using the jargon that often flows so freely from government news releases or officials’ mouths. Jargon fails to convey information to those unfamiliar with the term and can even mislead.
So what do you think? Is prorogue jargon, should we be using a better word? Or is it so widely now used that it’s fine?
|
Email This Post |
Why not consider door #3: find a way to explain the meaning of the word as you use it.
Parliament is prorogued. Sean Avery is suspended. Bit of a difference – though perhaps not as much as one would hope for.
Other options to prorogue might well be:
hide
avoid
scuttle under a rock
quick, look for plan B
A pause to think up something intelligent
eight weeks of paid vacation over Christmas
In the present context, “abdicate” would be an accurate synonym.
The explanation should reflect its usage in regards to this specific situation.If it is written as part of the constitution the word should remain in use. Its definition should also be as per the constitution. We need not be anxious about new words .
side note… Strange that the word porogue is so close in pronunciation the perogy. The defintion according to Wikipedia is ” a boiled dumpling of unleavened dough stuffed with varying ingredients” Common in Alberta.
Analogy anyone?
Forget about “prorogue” … I’d just like the media to explain what the “notwithstanding clause” is.
Julian I looked up the notwithstanding clause as it is written in the constitution. Id like anyone to explain the not withstanding clause and I just read it lol
Option # 3: Explain the term.
Precision is also important in journalism. “Suspend” can mean a number of things. It can suggest something arbitrary and illegal. “Prorogue” is the more precise term, because it is a legitimate constitutional option — whether or not you believe the GG should have consented.
I agree we should avoid jargon, but we should also avoid being vague. Use “prorogue” and explain what it means. Part of the problem has been that journalists have defined “prorogue” as a timeout or a suspension. It’s not. It’s more like a reboot, actually. The session ends, a new one begins.
Maybe one of the reasons we have a populace which doesn’t understand how our political system operates, is because we have a media which is afraid to use “big words”.
Magid, of course, would never allow such a word. Better to keep the flock dumb.
Prorogue is the correct word constitutionally but as you will find on the web site of the UK Parliament its usual meaning is to recess for a short time after a government has passed a major legislative program and budget on the basis of an earlier throne speech. In the current case, it has a very different ordinary meaning. In this case it means to suspend meeting or in effect to ‘lock out’ MPs in order to prevent the defeat of the government. It is important that news reporters make this clear, whatever the actual words they use.