“Of all people…”

This week I heard a radio commentator say, “Why would anyone want to try to censor Anne Coulter, of all people.”

First objection: In this context, the phrase is misused because it suggests irony where there is none. Anyone familiar with Anne Coulter’s vitriol would not be at all surprised that someone would want to censor her hateful, homophobic comments. (I’m not for censorship. The best response to Anne Coulter is an empty room. She should be ignored. Why people like her, or listen anymore, is beyond me.)

Second objection: It’s misused in that it’s condescending. When the Governator was elected in California, I heard tone-deaf know-nothing critics say, “Who would vote for Arnold, of all people?” Arnold the American Dream who’s a Republican with strong family and social ties to powerful democrats who’s adored by millions of movie fans? At that time, the better question was, “Who wouldn’t vote for him you morons?”

Third objection: “Of all people” is a bit of throat clearing that takes up space in a sentence but adds nothing to it. Avoid using this phrase in your writing.

Filed under: publishing, Pet Peeve of the Day