As we approach the Hudson-Champlain observances in 2009, there is a question of historians' writing style that has me intrigued. I find myself slightly annoyed when I read a phrase that seems to me trite and hackneyed in otherwise good historical writing. Am I being oversensitive, or is this a valid gripe? The phrase is this: In 1609 Hudson/Champlain "explored the river/lake which bears his name." This gets written in this way over and over. Shouldn't this worn-out, stale phrase be avoided by good writers? I guess once one begins to notice it, the more annoying it gets.