How Good Is Your Grammar?

Why do purists insist that 'television' is wrong while 'telephone' is correct?

 

Was Bill Clinton taking risks with language as well as his presidency when he declared, 'I did not have sexual relations with that woman?'

 

And can the use of 'ain't' ever be defended, especially when there's no sunshine when she's gone?

 

This is neither a rule book nor a primer but a rollercoaster ride through the mysteries and magic of the world's greatest language.