-----BEGIN PGP SIGNED MESSAGE----- In article <199604100105.DAA09113@utopia.hacktic.nl>, nobody@replay.com (Name Withheld by Request) wrote:
tcmay@got.net (Timothy C. May) writes:
Not meant to be snide, even if sounded that way. I just get confused by your various nyms
The term `nym' is erroneus: The Greek words are an-onym, pseud-onym, syn-onym, hom-onym pp, derived from `onyma', name.
I am a professional freelance editor and copyeditor. It is my job to see that the language used by authors conforms to the rigid dictates of style, spelling, and grammar. As an experienced professional in this field, I have learned that where rules of spelling, grammar, vocabulary come from is *usage*. Words become accepted parts of the language because people start to use them. The acceptance of words is recognized by their adoption in to lexicons and dictionaries, but this is description, not prescription. If you want to be linguistically correct and ensure that 'onyma' prevails over 'nym,' you've got a lot of catching up to do. 'Nym' is is clearly established by usage on the Cypherpunks list, and I expect it's only a matter of time before it starts showing up in print media, if it hasn't already, and get listings in the Jargon File, then dictionaries, etc. You can't fight usage; it is usage that makes the language as she is spoke what it is. - -- Alan Bostick | They say in online country there is no middle way mailto:abostick@netcom.com | You'll either be a Usenet man or a thug for the CDA news:alt.grelb | Simon Spero (after Tom Glazer) http://www.alumni.caltech.edu/~abostick -----BEGIN PGP SIGNATURE----- Version: 2.6.2 iQB1AwUBMWvs5uVevBgtmhnpAQER0wMAwwaSOvUPKrC1p4WbMuWtJAeeYx5V2Wuv weaRhr0bhbQ70y4IZ+ZkBGN4YcLfVSUV9MZCylEJcoASEzeJL3rV42H02j3+HIjl v6v82ylpCLZBpGWyKfHrF7/zYRjCgUiZ =362B -----END PGP SIGNATURE-----