[net.nlang] odd definitions

jeff@rtech.ARPA (Jeff Lichtman) (03/12/85)

Webster's 2nd unabridged dictionary actually contains the following
definitions:

pooh'-pooh'  A reduplication of pooh.

pooh'-pooh', or pooh'pooh' the'o.ry  The theory that language orginated in
	interjections which gradually acquired meaning.  Cf. BOWWOW THEORY,
	DINGDONG THEORY
-- 
Jeff Lichtman at rtech (Relational Technology, Inc.)
aka Swazoo Koolak

mjn@teddy.UUCP (Mark J. Norton) (03/19/85)

> Webster's 2nd unabridged dictionary actually contains the following
> definitions:
> 
> pooh'-pooh'  A reduplication of pooh.
> 
> pooh'-pooh', or pooh'pooh' the'o.ry  The theory that language orginated in
> 	interjections which gradually acquired meaning.  Cf. BOWWOW THEORY,
> 	DINGDONG THEORY
> -- 
> Jeff Lichtman at rtech (Relational Technology, Inc.)
> aka Swazoo Koolak


	In some areas of publishing, it can be difficult to prove that
someone is copying your work.  Often publishers producing things like
maps, or dictionaries will put bogus entries into the work.  This is
somewhat akin to tagging substances with radioisotopes.

	I believe you have stumbled across one of these tracer-tags.  More
can be found if you look hard, but usually very few are included.  It
can also be fun to look for places on maps which do not really exist.

	Mark J. Norton
	decvax!genrad!panda!mjn

steiny@scc.UUCP (Don Steiny) (03/31/85)

>
> > Webster's 2nd unabridged dictionary actually contains the following
> > definitions:
> > 
> > pooh'-pooh'  A reduplication of pooh.
> > 
> > pooh'-pooh', or pooh'pooh' the'o.ry  The theory that language orginated in
> > 	interjections which gradually acquired meaning.  Cf. BOWWOW THEORY,
> > 	DINGDONG THEORY
> > -- 
> > Jeff Lichtman at rtech (Relational Technology, Inc.)
> > aka Swazoo Koolak

	Note: the defination "reduplication of pooh" is also in the
American Heritage dictionary (a copy of Websters?!?).

	The "Bow Wow" theory of language is a real one.  It is
it is discussed on p. 23 of "Introduction to Language" by
Fromkin and Rodman.   It is not called "pooh-pooh" in this
book, but the name is in the spirit of the theory and could
easily be an alternate name.

> 
> 	In some areas of publishing, it can be difficult to prove that
> someone is copying your work.  Often publishers producing things like
> maps, or dictionaries will put bogus entries into the work.  This is
> somewhat akin to tagging substances with radioisotopes.
> 
	At USENEX several years ago someone informed us that UNIX
was full of such "tracer-tags."

> 	I believe you have stumbled across one of these tracer-tags.  More
> can be found if you look hard, but usually very few are included.  It
> can also be fun to look for places on maps which do not really exist.
> 
> 	Mark J. Norton
> 	decvax!genrad!panda!mjn

	As ever, facts are stranger than fiction.

-- 
scc!steiny
Don Steiny - Personetics @ (408) 425-0382    ihnp4!pesnta   -\
109 Torrey Pine Terr.                        ucbvax!twg     --> scc!steiny
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