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Reader question: Please explain “cut and thrust”, as in “the cut and thrust of journalism”. My comments: “Cut” and “thrust”, as verb, represent two rapid movements. To cut is to slice or slash. To thrust is to push and stab. Cut and thrust are originally words to describe the two most common movements in fencing and sword play. If you’ve ever watched Olympic fencing on TV, you understand this immediately, that cutting and thrusting is what fencing is about. Yes, as the two most important scoring moves in the game, the cut and the thrust are the reason why this game is so exiting to watch, alongside all the advance and retreat, attacking and counter attacking, the liveliness, the competitiveness, the thrill and excitement. Hence, metaphorically, when we talk about the cut and thrust of something, we mean to address the exciting and challenging part of it, the quality that makes it different and demanding. As well as risky and dangerous if you like, considering sword play is a dangerous game to begin with. Well then, let’s use journalism as an example and find out what “the cut and thrust of journalism” is about. All journalists, those who are worth their salt at any rate understand what this means perfectly, I am sure. For some, the cut and thrust of journalism means rushing to the crime scene or the locale of any breaking news. For others it is the sleeplessness and long hours, what with deadlines to meet and working the night shift. Still for others, it is the challenge as well as moral satisfaction – imagine investigative reporters digging deep to expose a corruption or pollution cover-up. | 
