Editors’ choices meant to make Trump look foolish

A dictionary tells us the Latin word sic means “thus,” and is inserted parenthetically to indicate a word that appears to be incorrect has been quoted verbatim. I have observed this device is often used when editors are quoting someone of whom they disapprove and wish slyly to denigrate by calling attention publicly to some inconsequential error.

An example appeared recently in a Minneapolis Star Tribune editorial, reprinted in this newspaper on May 10, when a memo from President Trump was quoted as saying “I nevertheless concur with the judgement (sic) of the Department. …” One can almost hear the editors snickering as they publicly tag the president as an unlettered oaf that doesn’t know how to spell “judgment.” The problem is, if we again consult our dictionary, we find that “judgement” is listed as a legitimate second spelling, used mostly by the British, and therefore that the president’s spelling is not even all that wrong.

Not so much so with the grammar and syntax of the rest of the editorial — the part that one of the Tribune editors wrote, and which others presumably edited. Let’s start with a paragraph that I will quote in full: “No.” (sic) This is not a paragraph — it’s not even a sentence. A sentence cannot consist of a single adjective, regardless of what internet teenagers might think. A subject may be absent because it is understood, but a sentence surely must have at least a verb.

Another sentence contained this phrase: “followed by an immediately (sic) muddying of facts and reason.” As any competent editor knows, “muddying” is a gerund, and “reason” is a noun and neither may be modified by an adverb.

I’m sure you’ve noticed that by inserting “sic” next to my quotes of these big-city editors’ copy, I have contrived to make them look foolish, much as they did to the president. Whether I do it, or some smart-alecky editor does it, it is unseemly. If these people want to call the president stupid, they should just summon a little manly courage and do it. WILLIAM MALLETT Garfield