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Predantry
Posted by John Rentoul
- Friday, 17 July 2009 at 10:02 am
John Rentoul
John Rentoul is chief political commentator for The Independent on Sunday, and visiting fellow at Queen Mary, University of London, where he teaches contemporary history. Previously he was chief leader writer for The Independent. He has written a biography of Tony Blair, whom he admired more at the end of his time in office than he did at the beginning.
You can contact John in the comments area or email him at j.rentoul@independent.co.uk
You can contact John in the comments area or email him at j.rentoul@independent.co.uk
I yield to no one in my admiration for Daniel Finkelstein. But very occasionally he can mistake precision for common sense. He doesn't like the new(ish) badges on London minicabs that say "Pre-booked only". This is to distinguish them from black cabs that can be hailed on the street (if you look as if you might be going in the direction they want to go).
Of course, it's tautological. Booking is something you do in advance.
But what better way of expressing the simple idea is there?
If it said "Booked only", people would scratch their heads and wonder what on earth it meant.
Of course, it's tautological. Booking is something you do in advance. But what better way of expressing the simple idea is there?
If it said "Booked only", people would scratch their heads and wonder what on earth it meant.
