English subeditor with a liking for (in no particular order): plain modern English, Jimi Hendrix, English history, George Orwell, small towns and Tony Hancock.
Particuarly dislikes the words whilst, ongoing, located, situated and prestigious; and capital letters where they are neither grammatical nor necessary. Also eschews use of World War I & II — as if they were a Hollywood film and sequel rather than ... well ... the First and Second World Wars.
Most hated expression at time of writing is "the then" as in "Bill Bloggs, the then chairman of Bloggs and Co", when "Bill Bloggs, who was then chairman of ..." is much nicer.
