Hello Simon,
On Fri, 22 Nov 2002 13:27:31 +0000 GMT (22/11/02, 20:27 +0700 GMT),
Simon wrote:
> The absence of 'Re:' then in a reply Subject line would seem to
> indicate that the presence of 'Re:' wasn't necessary to indicate
> that a message was a reply. Therefore, adding 'Re:' to the subject
> line of a message must surely only indirectly signal that a message
> is a reply by the usage of Re: in the sense of "in the matter of",
> or "regarding"? It's use in this sense would mean 'regarding' but it
> would be indication of a reply?
I would think this interpretation is valid. Whether I say "Re:" means
"I am replying to:" or "This is a message regarding your message with
the subject:" has for me about the same meaning.
>>> Does Re: mean 'Regarding' or 'Reply' when used in the Subject field?
TF>> It means "Reply".
> I'm not altogether convinced, and please don't take that as a personal
> remark as that isn't what is intended. However, I do accept that in clients
> like TB! the use of Re: means 'Reply'.
The way I read the RFC, the abbreviation is only to be used in
replies. I think that is the whole point.
@Carsten: RFC2822 is about Email (Quote: "This standard specifies a
syntax for text messages that are sent between computer users, within
the framework of "electronic mail" messages.") and it does not say
anything about the usage of Re: in usenet, which may well be
different.
@Dierk: Yes, I did study Latin, but only for 4 years, so your
additional clarification is well appreciated.
@Gerard: Yes, this is valid only if you use English. I believe the
RFC's (which stipulate those words and abbreviations to be in English)
should be still applicable in other languages, but if you use a German
version of OE ("the icon of RFC-compatibility"), "Re:" will be
replaced by "AW:", which stands for "Antwort" = Reply. Treat this as
an anecdote rather than a proof, if you will. ;-)
@DG Raftery: I also use the abbreviation "Re:" meaning "Regarding" in
office memos. It used to be done even in business letters with the
same meaning as "Subject" in email headers. However, I would never use
"Re:" in in carbon-based business contexts as meaning "Reply". It is a
different environment.
--
Cheers,
Thomas.
Moderator der deutschen The Bat! Beginner Liste.
Parenthetical remarks (however relevant) are (usually) unnecessary.
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