So I’m more of a word person, not much of a math person, but even I could figure out there was something off when I spotted this caption on a photo for a story about John Tesh admitting that he and Oprah Winfrey had a relationship during the 1970s.
See where it says “57-year-old Tesh” and the “nearly 40 years ago”? Well, I suppose that could be true, but that would make Tesh “about 17” and the 56-year-old Winfrey “about 16” when they had their affair “nearly 40 years ago.”
Um, ew.
Okay, okay: I imagine that the relationship occurred later during the seventies, when Tesh and Winfrey were in their twenties. I’m thinking this would have been toward the later part of the seventies, rather than 1970 (which is what year it would have to have been for it to be 40 years ago). And nearly (according to our friends at Merriam Webster) means “almost but not quite.” Does later in the decade still constitute nearly?
I’d say this caption is nearly accurate.
Mighty Red Pen 
Red, (or should I call you “Mighty” or “Pen” or do you insist on being called Mr. Mighty Red Pen?) You never know these days. I once called a woman who wrote her name “Dana” Day-nah. She jumped down my throat and insisted that I call her
Dan-ah (as in “dan”dy). I didn’t get any credit for being nearly right. But ya gotta give this caption credit for being “nearly” right.
It is a sad day in our culture when so many reporters from well-respected newspapers, magazines and media broadcast outlets get by with being “nearly” right with just about everything they right. Where is Clark Kent when you really need him?
Comment by Steven Sawyer — April 14, 2010 @ 9:29 am |
Steve — No, my first name ain’t Red, it’s MRP … MS. Mighty Red Pen if you’re nasty.
You were nearly right 🙂
Comment by mighty red pen — April 14, 2010 @ 12:07 pm |
Sorry, everything they “write” rather than everything they “right.” But I was nearly write, wasn’t I?
Comment by Steven Sawyer — April 14, 2010 @ 9:31 am |
Um, I’d say the “ew” applied whenever the relationship happened. But that could just reflect my feelings about John Tesh….eeeeew!
Comment by Roving Lemon — April 14, 2010 @ 9:33 am |
There’s just so much wrong about the whole business. I’m feeling all Teshy now. That’s never good.
Comment by Martha — April 14, 2010 @ 9:49 am |