Verbal Assault

21/02/2023

24/01/2023

Elephant in the room.

This phrase refers to a major problem or controversial issue which, for any reason, is not discussed or actively avoided.

If the subject is no longer avoided, and becomes discussed, at length, by everyone, for weeks on end, it is no longer the elephant in the room. The elephant has left the room, and is probably trampling property all over the neighbourhood. I mean, it's certainly causing some kind of problem, because everyone is talking about it, now.

For example, one 12 day old video discussing "the elephant in the room" about "the OGL thing". (Look up Hasbro OGL for more information).

By acknowledging that there is a "thing" that people are talking about, the phrase no longer applies. Even 12 days ago, Elphis had left the building.

Perhaps the animal phrase you were looking for is "fox in the henhouse"?

24/05/2022

Still not flush with time, but future updates are a distinct possibility.

23/08/2020

Still alive, just have less time than a ice cube in a blast furnace.

24/02/2020

Just a post to keep this alive.

30/03/2016

Now you fu***ng know, and knowing is half the fu***ng battle.

05/08/2015

Verbal Assault is calling for your submissions, questions and hilarious examples.

Let's make this page interactive.

02/08/2015

Let me tell you a little something about what this page is about, and what it isn't.

This isn't the Grammar Police, nor is it the Grammar N***s. I'm not interested in correcting your grammar or spelling or whatever. While I will collect and/or modify real examples, it will be purely for illustrative purposes.

What this page IS meant to be is a resource. If you want to know the rules, I will help you learn them. If you want your language to be sharp and deadly, I'll provide the grindstone. If you love language, and think it matters, but don't treat it like a sacred cow, then you might find this enjoyable.

I think the following video, with the delightful Stephen Fry, will illustrate the general soul of this page. As well, if the original maker of this video would like to contact me, and let me know if I may continue to use it, that would be great.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J7E-aoXLZGY

UPDATE 24/05/2011:Thankyou to for the Russian Subtitles UPDATE 11/10/2010: Thanks to Stephen Fry for mentioning this video on his twitter accoun...

02/08/2015

Misfire!

Those points of spelling and grammar that you always get wrong.

in lieu: from the French for in "stead", literally instead or substitute.

"Pablo Escobar sent me he**in in lieu of co***ne."

I was expecting he**in, but I got co***ne instead.

"Pablo Escobar sent me herion in lou."

Lou is a drug mule.

02/08/2015

Welcome to Verbal Assault.

Were you sleeping in English class? Is grammar the lady who bakes you cookies? Do you have that feeling you're saying something incorrectly, but aren't sure what's wrong? Have you got a sense of humour?

Let The Grammar Guerrilla help you sharpen your English and then slash open the soft underbelly of incoherence.