The Word "Democrat" is a Noun, Part II

By Baxter

Zamboni is allowing me to post about The Miami Herald's latest grammar problem. It appears that the paper is only capable of taking baby steps when it comes to using the word "Democrat" properly.

Yesterday's hard-copy edition had a lovely front-page, below-the-fold story that warmed our hearts. In fact, it made us happier than sleeping on top of the dishwasher while it's on the "HOT-DRY" cycle.

Here's the headline: "Democratic challengers buoyed by voter trends." (It's a follow-up story about how U.S. Representatives Lincoln and Mario Diaz-Balart and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Republicans all, will have some serious competition in their re-election campaigns — for a change!)

Anyway, The Herald's front-page headline is correct. When you need to describe the nation's oldest political party, use "Democratic." Don't say "Democrat," which is a noun — and which Republicans, from George W. Bush to his water carriers on right-wing radio, use pejoratively as an adjective.

However — alas. Just when we're getting ready to purr approvingly, we see the story's jump on page 12A. The headline reads: "GOP-leaning districts see Democrat [sic] numbers surge."

An irritated thump of the tail and a little growl to The Miami Herald for almost getting it right. Keep working on it, guys.