Caliann the Elf <calianng_graves at yahoo.com> writes: > I have to agree that the English Language is large, ponderous and > unweildy. It could stand to be whittled down into something more > efficient. When was the last time anyone used the word "druthers" > as a synonym for "choice"? Actually, when was the last time anyone > used the word "druthers" when it was not precluded by the words > "Give my..." or "If I had my..."? Dunno *when*, but it popped right up in my head. Very colloquial, but still current IMHO. > Then again, new words do come into the language. Being a computer > geek for a living, I do not believe I could live and without many of > the new words and acronyms. > > Besides, I am rather fond of the word "squick". I never realized > how much that word was necessary to my lifestyle until I learned it. > Now it is a regular part of my vocabulary. Useful word! You won't > find it in the dictionary.....yet. Very important word. You are aware of the ongoing search for citations to document vaious SF terms into the OED, mostly being discussed in usenet rec.arts.sf.written, aren't you? The OED team seems to be working the net hard to help them. > There is a point to this, which is that I DO feel that English can > use a lot of help. It could be streamlined into what is actually > USED. I'd like a dictionary that didn't have the name of a piece of > harness used for draft horses in the 1200's. A "modern use in > vocabulary" dictionary. I'd like a *spelling* dictionary for my word processor based on that principle. That's where it hurts to have unused words. I don't mind a big dictionary -- the CD is the same size regardless :-). (Proud owner of the OED on CD rom). > *Owned and Operated by the Grand Poohbah Cheese of the Universe* Wow, the Grand Poohbah Cheese himself? You're so very fortunate! -- David Dyer-Bennet, dd-b at dd-b.net / New TMDA anti-spam in test John Dyer-Bennet 1915-2002 Memorial Site http://john.dyer-bennet.net Book log: http://www.dd-b.net/dd-b/Ouroboros/booknotes/ New Dragaera mailing lists, see http://dragaera.info