In a message dated 1/31/2005 3:10:46 PM Eastern Standard Time, "Shawn Burns" <s1burns at ucsd.edu> writes: >Language is like a thingamajig. > >There is always change and evolution in language, Like "wicked." It really means something evil (or to that effect), but the way I, and many New Englanders, use it is to mean something like, "very" or "extremely," only meant more than exteme (if that makes sense) (wicked cold, wicked awesome). There are other ways I use it to, but I don't think anyone would understand them as I am a strange person and say and do many strange things. -C 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' >> >> >> > > >