Friday, February 27, 2009

SEMANTICS and evolution

The BBC reports that a computer program has helped identify the oldest English words and it has predicted which words are likely to become extinct.

"I", "we", "two" and "three" are among the most ancient, dating back tens of thousands of years.

Their computer model analyzes the rate of change of words in English and the languages that share a common heritage.

The team says it can predict which words are likely to become extinct - citing "squeeze", "guts", "stick" and "bad" as probable first casualties."
Here is my dilemma. who do I call to edit those words likely to become extinct?

See, I see nothing wrong with the word "squeeze". I like it. It sounds just like what it describes.
"Squeeze", means the squeaky will squeak.
So, keep "squeeze". Likewise the word "guts" is good. I have "guts". Ask momma. I can demand a belly rub after tearing a whole box of tissues. Momma says I have "guts"! And I also love "stick". All of those words have relevance and functionality.

I agree with losing the word bad. I am sick of that one. "Bad" girl... bad..... or as momma says it, wagging her finger "BAAAAAAD" . Ick. She almost sounds like a lamb. So yea, let's lose "bad".

While we are at it, let's clean house. Here is my best list for words that need to be eliminated
"puppy- mills" . Really. It is a misnomer. Those horrid places should be call "puppy death camps".
So let's eliminate that "term of art" which is a pathetic attempt at sanitizing the horrors of what it is... and why not just do away with the whole concept. Get rid of them. Who needs 'em?

If you have a soul, a brain, or a conscience you would not buy from them.... so are we all in agreement? Puppy-mills, words and places, need to be extinct. Done.


dusting my soap box.
'vie

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