Malapropism is rampant these days

I see where one of your letter writers has mistakenly used “flaunt” when (I hope) he meant to use “flout”, as in “flout the law.” This comes as no surprise, since he probably read, or heard, the same misuse from some highly regarded source and, therefore, thought it correct.

This same malapropism has come out of the mouth of nationally syndicated broadcasters on such shows as “Dateline.” I’ve heard it used on KING 5 news, and even read it in The Seattle Times, the P- I and now in your newspaper. What’s worse is I read an article published in The Herald a few weeks back where the AP accredited journalist didn’t know the difference between “endemic” and “epidemic.” The difference is significant to anyone who knows what both words mean, at least.

I’m concerned about this simply because it seems that the state of correctly used English these days is less significant than knowing all of the latest computer jargon. Which leads me to yet another point. How many people actually know the true definition of cybernetics?

Lynnwood