From all the headlines during last week’s high tides and offshore storm, one would think that the term “nor’easter” is a proper construction. This semi-jocular terminology has gained a foothold in modern conversation and weather reporting. In fact, the TV weather people are probably responsible for its widespread common usage. Count us among the skeptics. There have been too many strong storms with high tides and northeast winds and shoreline destruction for us to use that lighthearted contraction. We wrote this in 2010: “Standing bravely alone against the rising tide of public usage, we declare that we will stand out, as long as possible, against everyday use of the grating word “nor’easter.” “You don’t find the old-time newspapers reporting on such frivolous-sounding storms. The old Journals and Gazettes that paved our way spoke solemnly of “northeasters” and “northeast storms” and we are pleased to carry on in their footsteps. “‘Nor’easter’ sounds like one of those words the TV weat...