Language is like a thingamajig. There is always change and evolution in language, and what might be a mistake within one framework is not in another (e.g. the old definition of "whale" as a "fish"); it's a mistake only if you don't communicate what you intend to the person to with whom you are communicating. Shawn > -----Original Message----- > From: Chris Olson - SunPS [mailto:Chrisf.Olson at Sun.COM] > Sent: Monday, January 31, 2005 10:16 AM > To: dragaera at dragaera.info > Subject: On begging raises... > > Shawn Burns wrote: > > Well, I'm not really advocating "giving up" the logical > meaning of the > > phrase...just perhaps not caring so much about when someone > chooses to > > use it in the way that seems most intuitive to them. I can > easily see > > myself using both meanings in conversations, just switching > up based > > on the audience and context. > > Well, as the person who instigated this discussion with his > incorrect usage, I must say I am always grateful when people > like Dr. Whom correct such mistakes. > > It is to be hoped* that he will continue to do so in the > future; or I shall continue to make such elementary mistakes. > > * As an example of such an elementary mistake, I've forced > myself out of the habit of misusing "hopefully" > in my writing, and even, with occasional slips, in my speech. > > I remain exceedingly grateful. > > :) > Chris (Who's proud, but not so proud he won't fess-up > when he's done wrong.) > > "Life is the nightmare that leaves its mark upon you in order > to prove that it is, in fact, real." > -Thomas Ligotti- 'The Sect of the Idiot' > > >