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.