According to the BBC, Thatcher’s funeral plans are ‘undecided’.
I’m trying to work out if this is meant in its usual sense, as in ‘I have not decided on this yet’, or if they’re coining a phrase here: ‘the decision has been unmade’.
If it’s the second sense, look out for a lot of undecision in the future – there’s been enough of it in the past. 10p tax? Undecided on that. SATs? Racked with undecision.
Some would undoubtedly look to Orwell for the root of the word – the un prefix was a major attribute of Newspeak with words such as ungood and unlight, but a more appropriate inspiration might be the Bard himself, who was renowned for his use of the un prefix to create words unnumbered such as unmanned, unmended and unhand.
Perhaps Brown is living a Shakespearean tragedy after all…
…and your link shows what the gvt will be like under Harriet’s stewardship. And they say it couldn’t be worse than now. Hmmph.
Mrs T was reported as saying she doesn’t want a state or ceremonial funeral. I don’t understand what it’s got to do with Brown or Brenda. If it’s helpful to HMG, just think who the chief mourners will be.
Tizzy
August 5, 2008 at 4:08 pm