The late great newsman and grammar contrarian Edwin Newman observed that America’s pill fixation has transformed our vocabulary. What we were once content to refer to as “medicine” — restorative potions considered secondary to the wisdom and insight of doctors — has been promoted to a position of celebrated grandeur and reverence with the new label, “medication.” Newman joked that tribal cultures may soon begin referring to their healers as Medication Men.
The late great newsman and grammar contrarian Edwin Newman observed that America’s pill fixation has transformed our vocabulary. What we were once content to refer to as “medicine” — restorative potions considered secondary to the wisdom and insight of doctors — has been promoted to a position of celebrated grandeur and reverence with the new label, “medication.” Newman joked that tribal cultures may soon begin referring to their healers as Medication Men.