Word Dork alert

Ever had a phrase pop out of the media ether and slap you on the noggin? Call me an English major, but that's what happened in this report on NPR's Morning Edition last week. At about 1:38, a political analyst named Denise Strasser lays the blame for former Mexican President Vicente Fox's recent troubles on his -- wait for it -- "unbridled protagonism" [insert noggin slap here].

I think one part of the problem is translation. "Protagonismo" means a lot more in Spanish than "protagonism" does in English, where it sounds ever so slightly artificial. But as is often the case, the noggin problem lies in the adjective: Are there bridled forms of protagonism, and if so are they more acceptable? Where on the protagonist (protagonizer?) would this bridle fit and who would hold the reins? And sadly it's a short step from tall men with mustaches and horse tack to bondage porn and who needs that during breakfast?

The lesson is this: If your noun is sound, resist the urge to goose it with an adjective.

Speaking of head-scratch-inducing modifiers, check out this online ad from L.L. Bean featuring three words I never expected to see chain-ganged together in the service of commerce.