| 词组 | top |
| 释义 | top Top has been used as an adjective for many centuries, and no one denies that its adjectival uses are established and reputable. Bernstein 1965, however, considers it overused by journalists in its sense "chief, leading." This sense of top was first recorded in 1647 and has been in regular use since then, but the widespread popularity it now enjoys dates only from the 1940s. Its most common use is in describing a group, especially one having power or influence: • ... only top personnel in the key companies were given basic information —James Phinney Baxter 3d, Atlantic, September 1946 • The White House has ordered top military officials to abolish every duplicating activity —Newsweek, 4 Nov. 1946 • ... in the offices of all other top editors —Gay Talese, Harper's, January 1969 • Lovett and one of his top deputies —David Halber-stam, Harper's, February 1971 Its use in describing an individual is most likely when the person referred to is a member of such a group: • A top Tory announced yesterday that he was quitting —Daily Mirror (London), 24 Oct. 1974 Overuse is, of course, a matter of individual judgment, and neither Fowler 1926 nor Evans 1957, both of which enter top, makes this charge. Beyond doubt it is in very frequent use. If you see the word as Bernstein does, you will find many alternatives—highest, foremost, leading, principal, most important, and so forth— but none as short. If not, you will be in the company of most of the top commentators, it seems. |
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