----- Original Message -----
From: <[email protected]>
Adrian indulges in ad hominem (and especially ad feminam) attacks himself
often enough.
C
Can't resist a bit of pedantry - and reversion to my long-ago alter-ego as a
Latin teacher!
'ad hominem' can apply to women too, since strictly speaking 'homo' means
member of mankind -'man' as opposed to beast or god, not male person as
opposed to female. 'Man' as opposed to Woman is 'Vir', so it would have to
be 'ad virum' if you wanted to be precise about the victim's sex.
Having said that, Roman society was so male-dominated that 'homo' in
practice usually means a male, unless woman is specified.
Anyway Chris, well done for getting the ending right - most people these
days neither know nor care...;-)
(actually, I suppose, *most* people never did)
Grumpy Old Man, Educational Standards Going to the Dogs etc. etc.
Philip
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