“As a journalist, he knew the value of concise speech. Every word counted, as each one had to be paid for when telegraphed to the news desk. Every decorative, n

“As a journalist, he knew the value of concise speech. Every word counted, as each one had to be paid for when telegraphed to the news desk. Every decorative, non-informative adjective should be axed.” If you want proof, read newspaper columns from before the advent of the telegraph, and from just after. Before, the writing was expansive, a bit rambling, almost poetic. After, they are barely longer than a tweet in some cases. There are online examples of these, but the real paper copies cost less (per unit in quantity) than an expensive coffee drink.