If a Cliche Will Do, Then Just Do It

Re “America’s Common Tongue,” editorial, Oct. 19: Many of us jump on the bandwagon, putting our noses to the grindstone, trying to speak the lingo of grass-roots America. I guess we want to be part of the “in” crowd, part of the bigger picture, on the fast track, firmly positioned on the communication superhighway and, as a general rule, on the A list, so to speak.

But not all of us are like a herd of sheep. Some want to stand out in a crowd. Nowadays, to be seen as a real person, you know, you’re caught between a rock and a hard place, unable to see the forest for the trees, not knowing where to turn. Thank goodness for your words of wisdom, which gave me the gut feeling that you and I were on the same wavelength.

Doris Koplik

Rancho Palos Verdes

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Whatever.

Dorothy Hampton

San Diego

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You obviously don’t understand what “seeing the light at the end of the tunnel” means. You comment, “By the way, where else would it be?” In a sufficiently long tunnel, being able to see the light at the end after who knows how long seeing nothing but darkness ahead is an occasion for, at least, relief.

Todd Terres

Camarillo