The way the new-ish presenter of Woman's Hour jabs the word allegedly into so many conversations, is, I feel, rather poor and pretty thoughtless.
It sounds disempowering and seems to undermine the discussions - as though the person isn't entirely trustworthy.
Most of us realise that this is one person's story and whilst the presenter can't say it's 100% fact they could find a better way to say that the other side of the story is out there!
She keeps on doing it and I find it really irritating and rather demeaning.
The presenter has such a lovely voice too... but I keep on having to switch her off.
We all know there has to be balance and if someone is discussing being groped for example I think it would be better to say "of course he has denied the charges" (or whatever) rather than use the word "allegedly" quite so often - poking it, as she does in mid sentence - interrupting, as though they are challenging the person being interviewed.
Am I over reading this or have others noticed this "jabby" (and not-so-great) way of saying this is what someone says happened to her?
Robert Kenyon, Reform's candidate for Makerfield. Would you let him in your house?
"I know there are people worse off then me"




