And David Stratton suavely used “meretricious”* in the most appositely contemptuous fashion. How delightful when one’s favourite film review show appeals not only to one’s inner geek but also to one’s inner vocab nazi.

* A long, long time ago, on a USENet newsgroup far, far away, I once used “meretricious” injudiciously (because I had somehow gained the impression that it was to do with theft, as I had never actually looked it up). I was gently corrected, in verse even, by an elegant personage fondly ‘nymed “ice weasel”. I miss her rapier work. No-one skewers sloppiness like she could.

Categories: arts & entertainment

Tags: cinema, pedantry, peeves, telly