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Pastimes : SI Grammar and Spelling Lab
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To: The Philosopher who wrote (2816)6/10/1999 2:56:00 PM
From: The Philosopher  Read Replies (1) of 4711
 
How about a discussion of words or usages which are entering the language and discussing:

a) whether these words or usages should or should not be accepted in 1) informal and 2) formal usage, and

b) a more challenging topic, what criteria should be used in deciding which words or usages should be approved and which should be rejected by "literate" users (a term I resolutely refuse to define beyond saying I know a literate user when I read one).

(I am assuming without discussion that there are and should be differences between informal and formal usage. I am not interested in discussing this question, but take it as a given.)

I used emoticon in a message to Joan. Should it be accepted by literate writers as a legitimate word?

My mother fought bitterly against using "contact" as verb. I use it that way, finding no useful alternative which is not either less precise or more awkward.
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