I have a Juris Doctor degree from Arizona State University College of Law. I am an author and have written five books. I’m currently working on a sixth. I was brought up in a home with a mother who was an English Major at the University. So I have a pretty good grasp of the English language!

Most are familiar with Thomas Jefferson’s writing at least in the Declaration of Independence. It is a masterful piece of written language! Tom was also a lawyer, a scientist, a linguist and a writer. Nowhere in the Declaration is the word “whom” used. But he could have used the word. It was in use in his time. But then he also powdered his hair on occasion, and wore a tri-cornered hat!

That brings me to a pet peeve of mine today. I dislike the use of the word “whom”. I notice it more and more in books today. Why?

I was taught in 8^th grade (in 1958) and again in High School that the word “whom” was becoming outdated, antiquated, anachronistic, blasé, and old-fashioned! Why is it still with us?

It seems to have made somewhat of a comeback of late. You’ll read it in common usage again today. In writing. But when do you ever hear it in common discussions or conversations? If you do, it always seems out of place, or as if the user is trying to be pretentious, grandiloquent, or just law-di-da!

In conversation the word “whom” always, always, seems out of place! So I go to great extents to try to avoid the use of the word by re-writing sentences, or just using “who” instead. But I have, upon re-reading, found the word “whom” even in use in some of my books, much to my chagrin, embarrassment, and even mortification!

“For Whom the Bell Tolls” may have been fine in 1940 when written by Earnest Hemingway. Today it would sound strange. Today it would probably be titled “Who the Bell Tolls For.” Okay, that doesn’t’ sound right either.