[jenjen]

[Slugman]

Jen, you have inadvertantly brought up an interesting side note on dictionaries. You mention the Webster's College Dictionary. WHOSE Webster's dictionary? Anybody can publish a Webster's dictionary because the term "Webster's" is in the public domain. I have the Random House Webster's College Dictionary, but there are many others as well. My Random House Webster's, copyright 1999, has a spelling error in it, of which I notified Random House. They acknowledged their mistake in an email to me, and promised to correct the error in a future edition. The mistake is in the fourth definition of the word "accommodate". The dictionary reads " 4. to provide with a room or other accomodations." Only one "m" was used in this spelling. Since the Latin root word always has two "m"s, the word must always have two "m"s in every form. Who says four years of Latin in high school was wasted? In a recent post, Sore Feet only used one "m", and it took all my self control to not correct him on the spelling of "my" word.

[Allison]

[Slugman]

You are correct in that I was incorrect. "Loath" means "reluctant", which is what I was trying to say, and "loathe" means "to feel disgust for" or "abhor", the latter fitting in well with your second example. Good job, ml. I figured I'd look it up, since I had the dictionary out anyway for my last post. I could have gotten away with the word I used, if I had said "editors loathe pointing out..."

[jenjen]

[Slugman]

Merriam-Webster's is another brand. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia: Webster's Dictionary is a common title given to English language dictionaries in the United States, deriving its name from American lexicographer Noah Webster. In America, the phrase Webster's has become a genericized trademark for dictionaries. Although Merriam-Webster dictionaries are descended from those of the original purchasers of Noah Webster's work, many other dictionaries bear his name, such as those by the publishers Random House and John Wiley & Sons.

[Quark]

apparently nobody has taken my advice to take up drinking. I advise you to do so immediately, if not sooner.

[Allison]

I just spotted an abuse that I found most confusing. Someone said "We'll" when what they were trying to say is "well". I know I'm supposed to go with the flow and not be bothered by the casual nature of the internet, but when people start using completely different words like in this case I get a little confused. I had to sit and look at that one for a moment before I figured out what the guy was really trying to say.

[D'Airy Queen]

Attention all! Thank you! Please note this is a narration of the Queen's by her page, Page. "It has come to my attention that if I remove the apostrophe from my name, that it becomes Dairy Queen. Because of this, I have specifically asked my scribes, and especially my page, Page, to please proof read all parchments that are distributed to the kingdom, (for example, nailed on pub doors and the like). In sooth, my scribes hate to proof read, but I believe it will be well worth the effort. I do not want any Dairy Queens popping up in the kingdom or people to even get the idea of fast food in their little noggins. Speaking of noggins, I wish everyone a Happy New Year! At the castle we toasted in the New Year with a healthy draught of mead. Cartoned egg-nog is not available. I pardoned several naves and removed their sentence of being fed to the alligators. In addition, I tossed each of the alligators an extra apple. Games and festivities will be enjoyed by all, Lord and serf, in the courtyard today. Aye, I can hear the trumpet fanfare starting! Time to make some resolutions!" Ta ta for now! " D'Airy Queen \Page

[RayD]

[Quark]

[Elvis]

While vacationing this week, our family stopped at a Zip's Restaurant in Spokane for some burgers and stuff. My wife noted that their cups and napkins were boasting their 50 years of business... (actually it's been 52 or 53 years now I guess), but in particular she noted the cups had a misplaced apostrophe. The cups proclaim: Since 53' instead of Since '53 I couldn't wait to get home and inform all of you. I tried to find a picture online, but couldn't. Sorry. ~E

[D'Airy Queen]