There is something that bothers me, and I have been meaning to throw the question out to see if anyone knows or cares about the answer.
Here it is, the question– how and when was the word “ensure” imposed upon us as the preferred (if not required) usage in instruction booklets and manuals for all manner of appliances and handbooks?
Buy a new toaster. The manual warns that the user must “ensure” that certain precautions are taken before the toaster is put into active duty. There is a long list of things that must be “ensured,” such as plugging the electrical cord into a properly grounded outlet; the toaster should be operated on a safe fire-proof surface; and the user must refrain from inserting inappropriate objects into the toaster.
The manufacturer is usually very specific about what TO DO and NOT TO DO. Never put water into the toaster. Do not operate the appliance when in the bathtub. Do not put butter or jelly on slices of bread before toasting them
In case the bread gets stuck, do not try to pry it loose with a table knife or fork. Don’t allow children to play with the toaster.
My favorite all-time direction deals with the toasting of Pop-Tarts, which is, incidentally, one of my favorite foods. I make no apology. The instructional gem of logic and perfect cover-their-ass precautionary caveats
Is as follows:
“DO NOT toast toaster pastries in this toaster. But IF YOU MUST–ensure that the pastry is not cracked or broken. If it is difficult to remove from the toaster, turn it upside down and carefully slide it out. If necessary, allow the Pop-Tart to cool thoroughly before trying to remove it.”
To return to my original question, I really would like to know how the Word Police managed to spread the apparently mandatory ENSURE word, instead of the old wording such as: “make sure,” or “be sure,” or even “assure” (although the latter probably isn’t correct.)
A State of Mind 
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