"Stephen Howard" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 9 Oct 2004 08:28:00 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"Stephen Howard" wrote in message
.. .
On Fri, 8 Oct 2004 21:46:31 +0000 (UTC), "Franz Heymann"
wrote:


"Stephen Howard" wrote in message
.. .

[snip]

You might have to spend a week doing this, but it will
decimate
the
population to such an extent that a weekly patrol will
probably
be
adequate.

There is only one extent to which a population can be decimated,
namely to kill off one in every ten.
That leaves 90% fighting fit.
{:-((

There's always one...

http://www.wsu.edu:8080/~brians/errors/decimate.html

Interesting.
I suppose it is futile to think that words may retain their
definitions when there are so many ignorant wordsmiths bandying
them
about.


And that points up your misconception that language is static in
nature.

I thoroughly recommend a book called Mother Tongue, by Bill Bryson.

I have. Although Bryson is not in the same category of authority as
the folk who are responsible for the OED, his book is to be
recommended most thoroughly, as is everything else he has written..

Should you ever read it I think you'll be appalled to find that
you're
just as guilty as the next 'ignorant wordsmith' when it comes to
twisting definitions - and you'll also discover that many of your
linguistic tenets have extremely suspect origins ( such as the
venerable OED ).

....and somewhere back in the 16th century there's an URGler who's
completely bemused at both your use and spelling of the word
'futile'...and yet another who's wondering what on earth tennis has
to
do with the topic in question.

I fully realise that languages evolve.
I also reslise that the evolution is steered by those least equipped
to sensibly further the language.
I also realise that one should restrain the process from proceeding
too fast, otherwise confusion
results from the reader misunderstanding what the writer meant.
Have you noticed what a merry mix up the Dutch language has become
through embracing the worst elements of many other languages?
Have you noticed how much English is suffering from accepting so much
of the worst elements of American slang?

Franz