> Why do people say "one" instead of "somebody" or "a person?" I just read one of DarkNova's posts, which says "Sounds like enough sugar to make one explode." Now, not to pick on DarkNova (because this particular quirk of the language has always gotten on my nerves, not just because of the post) but why would anyone use that word to mean something completely different? I looked up the word "one" in the dictionary and one of its definitions -- way down the list, mind you -- is the one I'm talking about: "an unspecified individual; anyone."

One can think of several reasons to use "one" that way. One might be making a compromise between style and politically correct nonsense, because one is referring to any person male or female but "he or she" is one phrase entirely too hideous to use more than once in one day. Or, it could be just one more homonym used to add variety to one's speech, so that one needn't use the same one word over and over again.

>I think the pronoun "one" carries a distinct snobby (sorry, SCHNOBBY) connotation and I can't help but flinch whenever I hear it.

Shnobby schmobby. One can CLEARLY provide a counterexample:

> Take, for example, the sentence "One can appreciate the colors and artistry of the Van Gogh painting." Sounds pretty schnobby, doesn't it? But look at these alternates:
> "Anyone can appreciate the colors and artistry of the Van Gogh painting."
> "You can appreciate the colors and artistry of the Van Gogh painting."
> "Art critics can appreciate the colors and artistry of the Van Gogh painting."
> "Joe Blow can appreciate the colors and artistry of the Van Gogh painting."
> "Everybody can appreciate the colors and artistry of the Van Gogh painting."

Take, for (one) counterexample, the situation of being on (one) lifeboat in the middle of an (how many?) ocean, with only enough food for two people. Er, half that, after a (single) nasty wave. Then, one might say, "One can eat." This is certainly not equivalent to "Anyone can eat," or "Art critics can eat," and certainly not "Everyone can eat," and absolutely not "You can eat." What one definitely means with that sentence is that oneself can eat, and the others can fish.

> It is the phrase "on my person," like in the sentence "I like to carry my car keys on my person." Hello?!? I *am* my person.

This is preparation for future societies and Sci-fi shows where one's person need not necessarily be oneself. Can't be too careful.

> -useless"See what college-level summer night classes can do to a man?"ness

gab"Apologies and condolences"by