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http://www.omniture.com --> Sections Home Page Local News AP News Archives Business Classifieds Event Calendar Forums Life Opinion Obituaries Photo Gallery Readers Photo Gallery Sports Tempo Weather Special Coverage 2006 Britt Festivals --> Shop Our Valley AutoFinder HomeFinder JobFinder Search Our Valley Special Sections Distinctly Northwest Readers' Choice Homelife Magazine Joy Magazine Holiday Guide Oregon Golf Info Oregon Wine Info Other Publications Local Links Ashland News eSouthernOregon Newspapers In Education Personals Moving Here Movie Listings TV Listings Volunteer Customer Service Advertise With Us Media Kit Place Classified Ad Contact Us FAQ's Home Delivery Site Map --> Email Story to a Friend December 4, 2006 'Missing' phrase gets OK What's with the phrase "went missing" that we see now? The Mail Tribune said, "Two people who went missing after their vehicle got stuck ..." In my day, we used a lot less verbiage: "Two people missing after their vehicle got stuck ..." Isn't it weird how little, silly things make some people's minds "go missing"? I like the "less words" approach. What do you think? -- Lyn H., Medford Well, Lyn, we can say that the phase did not originate with the Coen Brothers, although it occurs in "Fargo." As did "The heck ya mean!?!" Ya sure, ya betcha. The consensus among usage mavens is that it's of British origin. Word guy Mark Israel said in 1996 that he was unable to find "to go missing" in any of his U.S. dictionaries, but he did find it in the Collins English Dictionary, a British dictionary. The usage panel here at the Since You Asked Institute for Really Advanced Etymology is split on "go missing." Half of the members disallow it, pointing out that either "gone" or "missing" alone pretty much covers the meaning. Advertisement The other half rather likes the phrase, their ears hearing it as analogous to those other things one can go, including AWOL, over the top, 'round the bend, bananas, postal, etc. In this view, to go missing implies a bit more than simply to be missing. Something isn't just not present; it has vanished. Anyway, both sides tried desperately to find the panel's seventh member to cast a tie-breaking vote, but she had gone, er, could not be found. Incidentally, the panel agreed unanimously that you meant to say "fewer words." Send questions to "Since You Asked," Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by e-mail to [email protected] . Would you like to respond to this story? If so Click Here to visit our forums. Advertisement Copyright © 1997-2006 Mail Tribune, Inc. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms & Conditions | Website Feedback online casinos news Home Security Systems Online Casino Reviews Men's Clothing Fundraisers UK Homeowner Loans Discount Hotel Reservations Send Flowers Casinos Canada Texas Electric Choice Compare Electric rates in Texas Windermere Van Vleet Trunks, Footlocker Online poker at AbsolutePoker.com