description William Safire Overview
William Safire (1929-2009) was an American journalist, columnist, and author who wrote The New York Times Magazine's "On Language" column from 1979 until his death. The column discussed usage, word histories, political rhetoric, and changes in American English for a general readership. Safire also wrote Safire's Political Dictionary, a reference work explaining political terms, phrases, and historical allusions in United States public life.
help William Safire FAQ
Who was William Safire?
William Safire was an American journalist, columnist, and author who lived from 1929 to 2009. He became especially well known for writing about language and political rhetoric.
What was William Safire's On Language column?
On Language was Safire's column in The New York Times Magazine. He wrote it from 1979 until his death in 2009, discussing usage, word histories, and changes in American English.
What subjects did William Safire cover in On Language?
The column examined word origins, disputed usage, political rhetoric, and the evolution of American English. It was written for general readers rather than only for professional lexicographers.
Was William Safire a lexicographer or only a political columnist?
Safire was both a political columnist and a prominent public writer about language. His New York Times Magazine column, which ran from 1979 to 2009, made lexicographic questions accessible to a broad audience.
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