Lyrics & Knowledge Personal Pages Record Shop Auction Links Radio & Media Kids Membership Help
The Mudcat Cafesj



User Name Thread Name Subject Posted
GUEST,Tom Bliss Moulettes - not folk say gatekeepers (185* d) RE: Moulettes – not folk say gatekeepers 16 Nov 10


Richard - with respect mate, in the matter of language the fact that a usage is common absolutely DOES make it correct. It is in fact the only criteria which matters.

Academics and lawyers make specialised definitions which they use only amongst themselves within their own spheres of influence. These have currency outside those areas, but no guarantee of permanency.

Language shifts, adapts, reverses, augments, erronialises (see, you can even make words up -c/f Lewis Carroll), contradicts and generally tumbles and eddies in beautiful confusion down the centuries.

English has done more somersaults then most - and is one of the most expressive and powerful tongues in existence as a result.   

Lexicographers merely do their best to keep up.

There is actually no such thing as correct language. Only better or worse understanding.

Pip - feel free old chap. Everyone else does!

Tom


Post to this Thread -

Back to the Main Forum Page

By clicking on the User Name, you will requery the forum for that user. You will see everything that he or she has posted with that Mudcat name.

By clicking on the Thread Name, you will be sent to the Forum on that thread as if you selected it from the main Mudcat Forum page.
   * Click on the linked number with * to view the thread split into pages (click "d" for chronologically descending).

By clicking on the Subject, you will also go to the thread as if you selected it from the original Forum page, but also go directly to that particular message.

By clicking on the Date (Posted), you will dig out every message posted that day.

Try it all, you will see.