On Fri, Dec 19, 2008 at 8:31 PM, Divya Sampath <[email protected]>wrote:
> So, you're saying that 'an history' is hallowed by virtue of antiquity and > a respectable pedigree, but in the case of 'decimate', the contender with > youth and popularity beats the establishment favourite? Hmm. That's > interesting sophistry. No, my argument simply is that both are accepted usage today, and considered correct. I mentioned the antiquity of 'an history' because it is of historical interest, but I would not justify it if it wasn't still in use. For what it's worth, I was of the same view as you about 'a history' until my mid-twenties -- but writing for the British newspapers changed my habits, and I now use 'an history' reflexively. In the case of 'decimate', there are two meanings - one which is correct but > endangered, and the other, which is wrong but spreading. And you decide what is 'correct' and what is 'wrong'? Heh. If it is in common enough use for the dictionaries to accept it, it's obviously not wrong. Snark aside, of course language evolves; if it doesn't, it dies. I've talked > about the evolution of the voiced h in 'a history' and my support for the > older meaning of 'decimate', in another post. But an exaggerated sense of > indignation over trivialities is part of the fun of being a pedant and a > Silk-list loony. > Oh, cool, so this is just for fun. That's okay then -- because you're wrong on both 'an history' and 'decimate', if we are to go by common usage and the dictionaries. But fun is good! :) -- Amit Varma http://www.indiauncut.com
