We’ll Tell You What: The Situation Is Under Control

Mike Downey [Dec. 22] merely touched the tip of a brutalized iceberg. The most overused and meaningless word in the English language is “situation.” As in, here is the traffic situation, the weather situation, a first-and-10 situation, a punting situation, ad nauseam.

Also: “He’s going to kick it away.” Geez, I thought he was going to kick it toward him or over his own head. And how did the indefinable expression “I’ll tell you what” evolve? You’ll tell me what? Don’t tell me what, just tell me, in your opinion, of course. And when I’m told a football team is moving “left to right on your radio dial,” how do I know which side of the field the announcer is on, and how does he know where I am?

Another beauty: “If you just tuned in, the score is 2-1.” And if I didn’t just tune in, is it 5-4?

E.C. GOLDEN

Northridge

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Being a professional broadcaster, can I thank Mike Downey for keeping us appraised regarding bad grammar used by sportscasters?

It is incredulous what is broadcasted about these athaletes.

Mike really defined the perimeter for everyone.

Just between you and I, this column should someday be considered infamous.

I hope this brief missive gets to the correct person. I wasn’t sure who to write it to.

So, thanks Mike, for telling it like it is.

BOB COBURN

Calabasas