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Another blow for the crusade against the prevalence of 'laying' instead of 'lying'.

In this week's Spectator Ivo Dawnay, journalist brother-in-law of the Prime Minister, writes about the political significance of Boris's hair:

...It could be the hair's finest hour, laying down flat on the head for the good of the nation...

I am right to think it should be 'lying', aren't I? Almost beginning to doubt myself.

You are right, PH.
Ivo Dawnay was educated at Eton.

According to newspaper and internet reports, there is carnage at airports right now. There was also carnage at the Liverpool football match on Saturday.

So where are all the dead bodies? Of course they're just examples of how main-stream media have to exaggerate and sensationalise things. It matters because it devalues the language. There is carnage in Ukraine. Does that simply mean people are having to queue for a long time there?

Orson
I agree with you. There would have been carnage but for the good behaviour of Liverpool fans in terrible circumstances.

Tyke
If you are looking in, congratulations on your city status. Looking forward to the Test tomorrow.

Jigjag

Good to hear from you - pleased with the 'City' status but we'll always be Rovers! Glad you averted disaster - was hoping Brook would play at Lords but he must get a chance soon.

Tyke
I saw Brook batting in the T20 Roses match - very impressive. I'm sure he will get a chance this summer. Yes Doncaster City does not sound right. I was disappointed when Swansea changed names.

More evidence of the losing battle against misuse of the verbs 'lie' and 'lay'. From a report in The Times, no less, of Friday 3rd June (my italics):

'Protesters...got on to The Mall despite a large security operation. Some laid down in the path of a military band...'

The pedant has to ask, 'What did they lay down? Flowers?'

The sub-editor should have changed it to 'Some lay down in the path of...'

The protesters were then lying (not laying) in the path of a military band.

Does anyone else wince at 'fed up of it'? Maybe it's an option but I prefer 'fed up with it'.

I have frequently read and heard the 'of' version. I was prompted by a Times report today quoting the Tory candidate for Tiverton & Honiton: 'It is very easy to stand on the sidelines and attack and be aggressive. What I am hearing on the doorsteps is people are fed up of it.'

I wince at it too, ph and I prefer "fed up with..."
I don't like "bored of" instead of "bore with" either.
But it must be difficult for someone learning English to get it right each time.
I'm sick of it, tired of it, fed up with it, bored with it, done with it, etc.

Should be the end of it