Another Bust by the Lingo Police

Re: “Hel-LO-oh, Let’s Find Closure on Faux Phrases” (April 10): Well done, Rip Rense. How sick we are of trite, meaningless phrases that muddle communication. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to come up with more:

* “At this point in time.” Oh, we thought it could have taken place at this point in, I don’t know, soup?

* “Let me just say this.” Don’t ask permission. Just say it.

* “It goes without saying.” Then don’t say it.

PEGGY ALBRECHT

Westlake Village

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Lingo czar? How about the new secretary of education? Rip Rense’s piece on language debris was a welcome reminder that articulate, nonderivative expression is a lost art.

Submitted for your approval are a few the czar may have overlooked: “Send a message,” “Empower,” “Cut to the chase,” “Zero tolerance,” “Don’t try this at home” and “It’s the . . . from hell.”

If you’re old enough to remember when these hoary nuggets were actually amusing, you’d better buzz for the nurse. It’s probably time for your medication.

NED RICE

Los Angeles