Ambrose Bierce

Write It Right Ambrose Bierce

Not all locutions blacklisted herein are always to be reprobated as universal outlaws. Excepting in the case of capital offenders-expressions ancestrally vulgar or irreclaimably degenerate-absolute proscription is possible as to serious composition only; in other forms the writer must rely on his sense of values and the fitness of things. While it is true that some colloquialisms and, with less of license, even some slang, may be sparingly employed in light literature, for point, piquancy or any of the purposes of the skilled writer sensible to the necessity and charm of keeping at least one foot on the ground, to others the virtue of restraint may be commended as distinctly superior to the joy of indulgence.