Re: article by John Craig, "Attorneys wary of informer" (Aug. 19): Kidnapping and rape "are sexy allegations" according to the quote by Assistant U.S. Attorney Tom Rice. If this is a man in a position to protect all persons and he finds these allegations "sexy," then I think it is time he finds a new job. I cannot believe someone in this day and age would make such a comment, but obviously I give some people too much credit. Unless he or the U.S. attorney's office can prove he did not say this, then he needs to go job hunting. (...)
Mary Henson
Airway Heights

I've heard "sexy" a lot more recently to refer to things that have mass appeal, in some kind of juicy, sensationalist (but not necessarily sex-related) sense. It's just one of many words that, if taken literally, can be offensive or just downright confusing. Over the years, "cool," "radical," "pimp" and many other words have also been thus appropriated, to the chagrin of those who allege a "butchering of the English language."

It sounds like we all need to watch what we say very carefully. Have you noticed any examples of words that surprised you in how they were used?

---

---