"Official confirms report." "Authorities have been notified." Do you know anyone personally who is an actual "official" or "authority"? Are you one?

I’ve always assumed that “Official” refers to an official officer of the state. “Authorities” are those authorized by the Officials to conduct investigations, make arrests, and enforce law.
You know… The Fuzz.

Perhaps my assumptions are presumptuous.

Again: Do you know anyone personally who is an actual “official” or “authority”? That’s my question.

I do not know anyone whose title is “authority” but have heard it used a generic term for whomever is in charge of enforcing the rules of whatever your discussing. If someone is not moving their lawn, you would report it to the authorities (code enforcement?). If someone is making too much noise, you report it to the authorities (the police). Most useful when you’re not really sure who’d you tell, but you plan on telling someone.

Officials is the same – it’s generic for who ever is in charge. Useful when you’re too lazy to find out who exactly that is or it’s too many people to mention in a 20 second news piece. Or in the case, where if they told you exactly who the official is, you’d still be saying “who the heck is that??”

Oh wait… I just got it. Sorry. No. I don’t know anyone who has the job title of Official or Authority. Just got it… DOH!

Never thought about it until now. Thanks for pointing out this strange anomaly. I will now wonder why they don’t say “City Auditor has confirmed report. The Fire Chief has been notified”. Seems reasonable to expect specifics. Though these news agencies are the same ones laying off photographers and reporters in recent years, attempting to crowd source news with eye witness reports and iPhone togs. Perhaps this is a result of such lackluster coverage?

Heat wave news: “Officials in Arizona warned residents to take precautions.”

Something that just cannot be captured on camera unless they used a megaphone “Hey residents”! Or perhaps they went door to door? “Hello. We’re your Officials. Don’t say we didn’t warn you.”.

I mean really. How could we get news coverage of Officials warning residents of anything?

<< The official Fluther authority. Looks like this. Now I want a hat.

Seriously, though. It is weird, isn’t it? Why not specify the particular official or authority?

I still want to know: does anybody around here actually know one? Or are they like the ubiquitous but nameless “They” who seem to rule every aspect of life to one degree or another? What are they hiding behind all that anonymity?

And why are they always in the plural? You never see a story that says ”An authority advised residents to avoid travel” or ”An official today announced extension of the deadline for registration.” Do they really do everything in chorus?

I know one, I think, if this counts. Before he retired, my uncle (not the bad one) used to be the Fire Chief and also used to be a gas company safety director (or something like that). So, he’d be the go-to guy for reporters when big fires and/or explosions happened. I’m sure his words were referenced without his name or title being given sometimes. Still doesn’t explain why they do that or why it’s always plural.

“I still want to know: does anybody around here actually know one?”

Well, I deleted my previous answer because I thought I misunderstood the question.

But, my father is a City Official. And I shoot pool with many Authorities… Policemen. I also photograph Officials and Authorities for magazines, newspapers, and newsletters. But I don’t think this is what you mean.

”...are they always in the plural?”

Dad is one of eight alderman. And although the Police and Fire Chiefs are singular, they do command forces.

Interesting question. I don’t know any “officials” or “authorities” personally or anyone so titled, but I’ve always considered any person who has some sort of power over me—a manager who can give me a raise; a policeman who cites me for speeding; an elected official who votes for or against a bill; a loan officer who denies a loan; a physician who prescribes a medication and the licensed druggist who fills it; a teacher who sends me to the principal’s office or makes me stay after school—an authority.

As for the plural aspect, I consider that a “they” kind of usage because they are one of many in a group who can exert the same kind of authority plus now that we’re accustomed to hearing the plural, singular would carry little or no impact.

One of my professors was featured as an Authority on a program on the History Channel.
It wasn’t Ancient Aliens.

Someone in my extended family was in the RCMP for his whole life. He is an individual, and does not speak as part of a chorus. I also never heard him say, “I am an authority, and I think that…”, or “This authority is ready for his dinner.” or “Stop tickling the authority, you’ll make him snort coffee out of his nose!”

Is that the sort of thing you were looking for?

I also don’t know any “insiders” or “spokesmen”

Yep. I work with them every day.

Most uses are pluralized, so I’m guessing it’s so they don’t have to list the officials individually, since multiple organizations and various levels of government are likely to post warnings about things such as extreme weather or public health concerns.

@bookish1 “It wasn’t Ancient Aliens.” Thank goodness!

@augustlan Yowza! I may just have to get in trouble with the “authorities” more often.

@augustlan : I don’t know, I think it would be sweet to take a class with this guy…

I feel like he should just give a class about crazy hair.