Words

It would probably be pushing my luck to describe a man who compulsively visits circus sideshows as a freak freak.

push one's luck, also press one's luck.

 Risk one's good fortune, often by acting overconfidently

 We've gotten all but one of the concessions we asked for; demanding that last one would be pushing our luck .

You've done very well so far, but don't press your luck. [Early 1900s]

Scholarship hath no fury like that of a language purist faced with sludge.

hell hath no fury (like a woman scorned) (British English, saying) used to refer to somebody, usually a woman, who has reacted very angrily to something, especially the fact that her husband or lover has been unfaithful (= has had a sexual relationship with another woman): He should have known better than to leave her for that young girl. Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned.

And writers in doubt can conduct themselves accordingly.

conduct yourself

reflexive to behave in a particular way, especially in a public or a formal situation, or to organize the way in which you live in a particular way

How should I conduct myself at these dinners? I know nothing about etiquette.

 thesaurus

Behaving, interacting and behaviour

ought to warn off anyone who doesn’t want to be prissy, horrible of genteel.

If you warn someone off, you tell them to go away or to stop doing something because of possible danger or punishment. 

The police warned the intruder off...

He pressed for a full investigation, but was warned off...

It’s a commendable impulse, but there is no last word.

1. If someone has the last word or the final word in a discussion or argument, they are the one who wins it or who makes the final decision. 

She does like to have the last word in any discussion. 

The final word will come from the Secretary of State.

2. final decision or statement about something:

‘Will you take £900?’ ‘No, £1 000 and that’s my last word.’ 

Is that your final word on the matter?

Summary

In Chapter 7, Zinsser looks back his experience of being a member of “Usage Panel” of The American Heritage Dictionary, drawing the conclusion that the usage of words is flexible and vary in different circumstances. However, if the writer wants to attract his ideal target reader, he must be aware of the trivial distinction between two words. What’s more, he should distinguish between new words and dead words and seperate usages from jargon.

Zinsser pointed out the only way to learn to write is to force yourself to write. In order to make a good writing, the writer should pay attention to the unity of pronoun, tense and mood. At the same time, getting rid of obligations and providing one provocative thought with readers are also important.