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The OED is following in the footsteps of Liz Taylor, Joan Rivers, Cher, and it looks mahvelous!
Although I am certainly in favor of the O.E.D.'s improving itself in this fashion, I must confess to a touch of sadness when I come across one of the more whimsical definitions or etymologies that have disappeared as progress and lexicographic accuracy inexorably march forward. For instance, the word murinoid used to be defined as “resembling the mouse or its allies†— a turn of phrase that always evoked Tchaikovsky's “Nutcracker.†Alas, ally is an old term of scientific classification and is no longer included in the entry for murinoid.
Well, my comment is a little out of context, now that the spam has been deleted. The first word in the long-winded gibberish was debuting which, to me, points out that it is hard to construct text in English without SOME linguistic interest. Somehow, I've already hit upon the majority of the exceptions, mostly in my academic training.
Martha Barnette
Grant Barrett
Grant Barrett
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