Be careful what you seed On Mon, Aug 18, 2025, 8:57 PM Sara Mattes <[email protected]> wrote:
> Maybe an old fashion English teacher, hard copy Websters- tried and true > in days of yore. > Websters was an agreed upon set of truths, updated as usage changed over > time. > Sent from my iPhone > > On Aug 18, 2025, at 6:04 PM, Bjorn Slate <[email protected]> wrote: > > > I agree wholeheartedly about the beauty and ingenuity of the poem but > would those examples not translate, in this iteration. to ‘reading > receipt’? Hence…. ‘red’. QED. > > On Mon, Aug 18, 2025 at 6:37 PM Garrick Niemiec < > [email protected]> wrote: > >> Cool, very cool! >> >> On Mon, Aug 18, 2025, 9:31 AM Steve Hirsch via Lincoln < >> [email protected]> wrote: >> >>> >>> <CDEE9872-8D23-443A-9D2C-5786B6C97F6B.gif> >>> >>> >>> --Steve('s iPhone) >>> >>> On Monday, August 18, 2025, 8:22 AM, Carl Blesius <[email protected]> >>> wrote: >>> >>> Those twelve twenty-somethings are wrong from a technical standpoint, >>> but language is a living thing that can change... maybe this is why there >>> was debate on this topic at Rob's table. Whatever happens you’ll never hear >>> me say purchased receipt in a store or red receipt anywhere else—unless >>> they’re actually crimson and I bought them! >>> >>> At Garrick’s prompting for more AI input yesterday, I decided to play >>> around and ask it for some Lincoln-flavored examples to support *reed* >>> receipt. >>> >>> We live in strange times: as I was able to generate this entertaining >>> poem between stops on the Green Line (!) while appreciating our historic >>> subway system—since it wasn’t possible to take our historic train system >>> from North Station yesterday due to “updates?”. >>> >>> Disclaimer: the poem that follows was generated by two LLMs competing >>> with each other (collaboratively) with minimal human attention: >>> >>> In Lincoln’s fields by Codman’s grand estate, >>> >>> Where history whispers through iron gate, >>> >>> The Minute Men now, in reenactment’s thrill, >>> >>> Relive the past with steadfast skill and will. >>> >>> At Gropius House, where modern lines inspire, >>> >>> It’s *drawing board*, not “drawn” by time’s old fire. >>> >>> By Drumlin Farm, where creatures roam and play, >>> >>> It’s *grazing field*, not “grazed” in yesterday. >>> >>> On Battle Road, past Samuel Brooks’ door, >>> >>> With *walking path*, we trace the steps of yore. >>> >>> Not “walked path” worn by ghosts of war’s fierce tide, >>> >>> But trails alive where reenactors stride. >>> >>> At deCordova’s sculptures, bold and bright, >>> >>> It’s *viewing platform*, standing in the light. >>> >>> Not “viewed platform” faded from the scene, >>> >>> But art that calls us to what might have been. >>> >>> By Ponyhenge, where horses in whimsy rock, >>> >>> It’s *rocking horses*, not “rocked” by time’s old clock. >>> >>> Through *reading room* at Thoreau’s quiet keep, >>> >>> We ponder words that run both wide and deep. >>> >>> In *washing stream* by Walden’s reedy shore, >>> >>> Not “washed stream” cleansed by rains of days before. >>> >>> With *cooking hearth* at Hartwell’s tavern warm, >>> >>> We gather ‘round, safe from the gathering storm. >>> >>> Our *drinking fountain* quenches thirst anew, >>> >>> Not “drank fountain” dry from morning dew. >>> >>> The *sleeping quarters* rest the weary head, >>> >>> Not “slept quarters” haunted by the dead. >>> >>> When emails glide through digital domain, >>> >>> They loop back home with read receipt again— >>> >>> Pronounced as “reed,” like Lincoln’s marshland grace, >>> >>> Not “red” like apples in this hallowed place. >>> >>> So let us speak with voices clear and true, >>> >>> In Lincoln’s lore, where names forever brew. >>> >>> With *running trail* and *writing scroll* in hand, >>> >>> We honor “reed,” across this timeless land. >>> >>> ------------------- >>> *ChatGPT 5 prompt generated by ChatGPT 5:* >>> “Explain to my fellow townspeople why words ending in *-ing* (like *running >>> shoes* or *swimming pool*) are similar to *reed receipt*. Give me a >>> concise breakdown of the grammar rule, how it relates to function/ability, >>> and why English avoids past-tense forms in compounds. Include examples.” >>> ------------------- >>> *ChatGPT output:* >>> 📖 Why *-ing* words and *reed receipt* work the same way >>> >>> *1. Grammar rule:* >>> In English compounds, verbs used as modifiers normally appear in the >>> *base/present >>> or participial form*, not the past tense. >>> >>> *2. Function/ability:* >>> These compounds describe what something *does* or *is for* (its ongoing >>> function), not what it *did once in the past*. >>> >>> - >>> >>> *running shoes* → shoes for running >>> - >>> >>> *swimming pool* → pool for swimming >>> - >>> >>> *reading glasses* → glasses for reading >>> - >>> >>> *read receipt* → receipt showing a message *is read* (base form = >>> *reed*) >>> >>> *3. Why not past tense?* >>> English avoids past-tense modifiers because they imply a one-off action >>> instead of a general property. >>> >>> - >>> >>> ❌ *ran shoes* >>> - >>> >>> ❌ *swam pool* >>> - >>> >>> ❌ *wrote permission* >>> - >>> >>> ❌ *red receipt* >>> >>> *4. Rule of thumb:* >>> >>> - >>> >>> *Base/present form* = ongoing use or purpose (*reed receipt, running >>> shoes, reading glasses*) >>> - >>> >>> *Past tense* = reserved for describing *experience* (*well-read, >>> widely read*) >>> >>> ------------------------------ >>> >>> 👉 That’s why “reed receipt” fits the same pattern as *running shoes* or >>> *swimming pool*. >>> >>> >>> On Sun, Aug 17, 2025 at 11:27 PM Steve Hirsch via Lincoln < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> Interesting question. I believe I've given more thought to this aspect >>> of email systems in the past 15 minutes, doing LL email catchup tonight, >>> than I had in 30+ years of actual email use!😅 >>> >>> That said I've always pronounced it like "reed" because the "read >>> receipt" it is a receipt of the other person's READING of my message.🤷♂️ >>> >>> Steve Hirsch >>> >>> >>> On Friday, August 15, 2025, 09:21:56 PM EDT, Rob Stringer via Lincoln < >>> [email protected]> wrote: >>> >>> >>> Is “read receipt” pronounced “red” receipt or “reed” receipt? >>> >>> The internet is no help, so I am asking the pros from LT. >>> >>> Rob Stringer >>> 15 TPR >>> >>> >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >>> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >>> Browse the archives at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >>> Change your subscription settings at >>> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >>> >>> -- >> The LincolnTalk mailing list. >> To post, send mail to [email protected]. >> Browse the archives at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/. >> Change your subscription settings at >> https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. >> >> -- > The LincolnTalk mailing list. > To post, send mail to [email protected]. > Browse the archives at https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/private/lincoln/ > . > Change your subscription settings at > https://pairlist9.pair.net/mailman/listinfo/lincoln. > >
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