Here he is neither George’s most distinguished colleague nor his least. He continues to work hard and shows uncommon common sense, rendering sound, pragmatic interpretations of the law.
Scott Turow, Limitations
Now, correct me if I’m wrong, but surely the definition of common sense is that it is the standard reaction for the majority of people; therefore, if you have uncommon sense, your reactions to things are different from most people. Without even delving into meanings and etymologies, it is obvious that “uncommon common sense” is an oxymoron.
Having pointed this out, Limitations is the first Scott Turow book I’ve read, and he has very good press, being likened to (and in some cases, elevated above) John Grisham by various critics. I’m only 58 pages in, but I can already safely recommend it.
2 Comments
Sounds like an oxymoron to me; maybe the guy couldn’t think of anything else that fitted.
Yet common sense and common itself have two different meanings; thus perhaps it isn’t an oxymoron at all. Common in regards to common sense is implicit in that everyone ’should’ have common sense, the uncommon common sense renders that this particular person has more common sense than most, or recognises things that others would not.
Common doesn’t look right anymore, like it’s not a real word or that I’ve spelt it wrong.
Miss you CB.
Have fun reading your book.
Love you xx
ps. I beat Will