Wiston Papers
Dictionary compilers create endangered words list
According to
dictionary compilers, the word aerodrome is one of the words vanishing from
use.
Aerodrome
and charabanc are among the words presumed to have become extinct in the past
year, according to lexicographers.
Collins
Dictionary experts have compiled a list of words which have fallen out of use
by tracking how often they appear.
MY
REACTION:
What!
I use these words everyday doesn’t every one?
My
wife and I were watching a TV show the other night. A husband was
thoroughly devoted to his wife despite her numerous affairs. My wife
shouted, “Man up you wuss!" I
replied, “You go girl! Right on! That guy’s a total wittol.”
There
was a TV report last week about increasing concern among scientists and
nutritionists about the potential danger of food additives on our health.
My immediate reaction was that the drysalter lobby had the ear of Congress.
But any lawmaker who would tolerate such practices should be institutionalized
and undergo prolonged, intensive alienism.
On
“Leverage” last night our team of heroes was in the Cincinnati airport trying
to stop the theft of a donor heart. It was originally destined for a
15-year-old boy, but had been stolen and was to be flown to a dying Chicago
billionaire. As our intrepid troupe was frantically trying to stop the
flight, I shouted in frustration, “Hell! Just get the
cyclogiro out of the damn aerodome and chase the SOBs!”
Whenever
I make an international trip, I always call the Ames Taxi company and reserve a
charabanc from Ames to Des Moines. Sigh! Invariably I have to
repeat myself and ask for a taxi because the dispatcher doesn’t understand me.
Last
year when we took my wife’s rings to a jeweler to be resized, she asked
if they could use a stauroscope to determine the value of the metal. “Of
course, we always use that,” he assured.
When
dinning I always ask the waiter what succedaneums are available for some of the
featured specials. Unfortunately, the last time I said that he paused
then speculated, “Uh…I’m not sure that’s in season…uh…I’ll have to ask the
chef.”
Earlier
this week I wrote a letter to the editors of the Ames Tribune, New York Times
and Washington Post. I complained that the problem with America today and
the failure of our leaders to solve our press problems is that nobody wants to
supererogate. For some reason, the letter was not printed.
Hm…
August 22,
2011
No comments:
Post a Comment