Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2003/08/13
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Wasn't Latin the last time a European language was thought to be saved from the influence of daily usage? Slobodan Dimitrov - ---------- >From: Johnny Deadman <lists@johnbrownlow.com> >To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us >Subject: [Leica] mrs malaprop strikes again >Date: Wed, Aug 13, 2003, 3:49 PM > > There's a name for that kind of thing, where you put an inappropriate > latinate ending on a latinate word. It's technically incorrect but of > course the OED is not an arbiter of correctness only usage. So if a > technically incorrect form is used enough, it goes in the dictionary > (and may eventually become the 'correct' form). You hear it ALL the > time on CNN. "Admittance" or "admittal" instead of "admission", > variations of that kind of thing. You even see it in print, especially > (for some strange reason) White House press releases, which is > inexcusable. It makes me grind my teeth and want to shout at the TV, > but I try to control myself for the sake of the children. > > > On Wednesday, August 13, 2003, at 03:35 PM, Chandos Michael Brown wrote: > >> What can I say? I cut and pasted from the on-line version of the OED >> we >> use at the College. I just checked the print version (I keep the 20 >> vol. set in my office) and note that "perfidity" appears in vol. XI, >> page 541, col. 1. >> >> I'm too lazy to go and check the Webster's Collegiate in the Dept. >> library. >> >> The OED indicates that this term is "rare." Doubtless "perfidy" is >> more >> common, but "perfidity" is most definitely a word. > -- > John Brownlow > > http://www.pinkheadedbug.com > http://www.unintended-consequences.com > > -- > To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html - -- To unsubscribe, see http://mejac.palo-alto.ca.us/leica-users/unsub.html