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Letter to Editor
January 25, 1886
Orleans County Monitor
Barton, Orleans County, Vermont
What is this article about?
A reader responds to a previous letter by identifying 'They Say' as a male gossip who meddles in others' business and urges communities to suppress such busybodies. Signed M. S. L.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Mr. Editor.—I lately read of that man who had made the important discovery of who "They Say" is, and think that it is possible that there may be more than one of that name. The person may be something like the Joneses and the Smiths, pretty numerous. I had the impression that the "They Say" of this place was not a female, as your letter had it, but a male. This character, wherever he or she may be, has vastly more to do with other people's business than his own, and ought to be sat down on by every community.
M. S. L.
M. S. L.
What sub-type of article is it?
Satirical
Social Critique
What themes does it cover?
Social Issues
Morality
What keywords are associated?
They Say
Gossip
Busybody
Social Meddling
Community Rebuke
What entities or persons were involved?
M. S. L.
Mr. Editor.
Letter to Editor Details
Author
M. S. L.
Recipient
Mr. Editor.
Main Argument
"they say" refers to a meddlesome gossip, likely male, who interferes in others' affairs more than their own and should be rebuked by communities.
Notable Details
References Prior Letter's Discovery Of 'They Say'
Contrasts With Previous Depiction As Female
Compares To Common Names Like Joneses And Smiths