On Wed, 30 Jul 2003 10:09:44 -0400 (EDT), Steven W. Orr wrote: >Or do we have a fundamental problem with literacy? > >See the editorial "Ferment over gay rights" at >http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/news/opinion/edit07302003.htm > >I called the paper and talked to an editor at the newsroom. I asked her if >she knew the meaning of 'ferment'. She felt that it had something to do >with the brewing of beer. I congratulated her and asked her the extra >credit question: if she knew the meaning of 'foment'. She felt that it was >similiar to ferment but different. > >Hopefully, the Metro West News will in the future be aware of the pitfalls >of homonyms. Also, we all hope that the author of this editorial is not a >graduate of the Framingham School system. :^))
According to the Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary (http://www.m-w.com/cgi-bin/dictionary) the relevant definitions are: ferment Function: verb Date: 14th century intransitive senses 1 : to undergo fermentation 2 : to be in a state of agitation or intense activity transitive senses 1 : to cause to undergo fermentation 2 : to work up (as into a state of agitation) : FOMENT foment Function: transitive verb Etymology: Middle English fomenten to apply a warm substance to, from Late Latin fomentare, from Latin fomentum compress, from fovEre to heat, soothe; akin to Lithuanian degti to burn, Sanskrit dahati it burns Date: circa 1613 : to promote the growth or development of : ROUSE, INCITE <foment a rebellion> synonym see INCITE The article in question uses the word "ferment" in two places. The first is in the title, "Ferment over gay rights". This usage of the word dovetails neatly with the second intransitive sense definition; after all, the entire article is an overview of the AGITATION and INTENSE ACTIVITY surrounding the subject of gay rights. And the second use of the word, in the sentence "All this action comes at a moment of great ferment in public opinion.", is also an instance of apparently correct usage of the intransitive verb, although the word "upheaval" might have been more appropriate. So, at the risk of FOMENTing discord between the readers of this mailing list and thereby causing a FERMENT of anxiety, animosity, and confusion amongst them, I've got to say that I don't see any problem with the wording in the article. Of course, that's only my opinion - and I could be wrong. BCB ================================================== Bennett C. Baker B::Ware [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.bware.com To unsubscribe, send email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with body "unsubscribe frambors" (the subject is ignored).
