[net.nlang] Noah Webster

amh (07/13/82)

I missed the first reference to Noah Webster,
but those ov you who recognize my path know that I prefer
middle english and that I shy away from anyone who thinks
any linguistic rule should be prescriptive as opposed to
descriptive.  enouf prolog.  i never trust what webster
suggests since in his first dictionary he defined oats
as food suitable only for horses and other lower animals.
/* Webster did not like the Scots */
Aldon Hunes (Gordon clan)
BTL Pisc.
...!mhuxt!pyuxjj!pyuxcc!amh

miker@sri-unix (07/16/82)

Aldon Hunes' story about Noah Webster's first dictionary defining
oats as fit only for horses and Scotsmen is attributed to the wrong
person.  The actual Scotophobe was Dr. Samuel Johnson.