jcwinterton (12/06/82)
Recent articles having to do with the origin of words in English have pointed out that there appear to be various accepted authorities (dictionaries). I think that it merits some discussion as to the final reference in cases of dispute. Most of us have access to university libraries, so multiple reference standards are possible. To start off this discussion, how does everyone feel about using the OED? Regards, John Winterton. P.S. Since I am only on the system every one to two weeks, this discussion should occur in this newsgroup. Please hold the mail unless you are willing to wait a long time for discussion/reply. jcw.
wsp (12/07/82)
I look up most of my etymologies in my Webster's New Collegiate, mostly because it's on my desk ( which, in turn, is because the secretary bought it for me). For interesting etymologically reading, I turn to John Ciardi's Browser's Dictionary which I find great fun. (He is also on NPR's Morning Edition doing word rambles about etymologies). But the sine qua non of etymologists in English must be the OED. I finally found out what a good source it was when I looked up "by and large" - I was taken aback at the depth of scholarship in that set of books. by the way, where does "blimey" and "core blimey" come from? I was stumped by this one the other night. Peter Benson ittdcd-west (619)578-3080
russell (12/08/82)
blimey and core blimey are, as far as I can remember from my long gone school days, corruptions (basically Cockney dialect) of Blind Me and God Blind Me, respectively. Russell Cairns