Save the Language!
Mar. 31st, 2004 11:07 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
kiralamouseReceived Tuesday from a fellow English major (cum Classics major, but we'll excuse her that), after a conversation in which I revealed that my beloved word "wight" is slighted in the Oxford English Dictionary:
Hwaet!
[Ed. Note: "Hwaet" is the first word in the Old English/original version of Beowulf. The traditional translation tries to convey the sense that the word means "Hey, listen up! I'm about to tell a story!" so translations like "Hark!" are common. I maintain that it's really the sound of a weapon hitting the table to get everyone's attention. Shannon maintains that it means, "Hey, wench, bring me a beer, and y'all shuddup, Ah'm trahyin' t'tawlk." Thus her great preference for using the word. Okay. Back to the letter.]
It has come to our attention that the Oxford English Dictionary, formerly the supreme source of all verbal knowledge (but henceforth referred to as the OED BASTARDS!), has been consigning words to the trash heap. The Aycock Council was tonight called into an emergency session regarding the tragic demise of the word "wight," currently listed by the OED BASTARDS! as "obsolete". We at the Aycock Council do not approve of their tone at all, the bastards. No word deserves to be called "OBSOLETE"! Although the word "wight" was unavailable for comment, we at the Council are certain that it feels horrible and will be imminently seeking psychiatric treatment for self-esteem issues stemming from its current unemployment.
This outrage calls for immediate mobilization of all those unwilling to send these words to their graves. FIGHT VERBICIDE!!!
The Adopt-a-Word Program is our attempt to reverse this disturbing trend. For as little as three usages a day, your word can be provided with an education, shoes, and a vaccination against worms. You will be provided with a picture of your word, a profile, and monthly letters from your word. We at the Aycock Council would appreciate any support for the rescue of these endangered words. We encourage each new member to discover his or her own "obsolete" or "archaic" word and save it from colloquial extinction.
Down with the OED BASTARDS!,
Shannon and "Never-Underestimate-the-Power-of-the-K" Katie
PS--As you might have noticed, we have contracted quite a nasty case of the Etymological Itch, and we were wondering if you could recommend any creams.
Hwaet!
[Ed. Note: "Hwaet" is the first word in the Old English/original version of Beowulf. The traditional translation tries to convey the sense that the word means "Hey, listen up! I'm about to tell a story!" so translations like "Hark!" are common. I maintain that it's really the sound of a weapon hitting the table to get everyone's attention. Shannon maintains that it means, "Hey, wench, bring me a beer, and y'all shuddup, Ah'm trahyin' t'tawlk." Thus her great preference for using the word. Okay. Back to the letter.]
It has come to our attention that the Oxford English Dictionary, formerly the supreme source of all verbal knowledge (but henceforth referred to as the OED BASTARDS!), has been consigning words to the trash heap. The Aycock Council was tonight called into an emergency session regarding the tragic demise of the word "wight," currently listed by the OED BASTARDS! as "obsolete". We at the Aycock Council do not approve of their tone at all, the bastards. No word deserves to be called "OBSOLETE"! Although the word "wight" was unavailable for comment, we at the Council are certain that it feels horrible and will be imminently seeking psychiatric treatment for self-esteem issues stemming from its current unemployment.
This outrage calls for immediate mobilization of all those unwilling to send these words to their graves. FIGHT VERBICIDE!!!
The Adopt-a-Word Program is our attempt to reverse this disturbing trend. For as little as three usages a day, your word can be provided with an education, shoes, and a vaccination against worms. You will be provided with a picture of your word, a profile, and monthly letters from your word. We at the Aycock Council would appreciate any support for the rescue of these endangered words. We encourage each new member to discover his or her own "obsolete" or "archaic" word and save it from colloquial extinction.
Down with the OED BASTARDS!,
Shannon and "Never-Underestimate-the-Power-of-the-K" Katie
PS--As you might have noticed, we have contracted quite a nasty case of the Etymological Itch, and we were wondering if you could recommend any creams.
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no subject
Date: 2004-03-31 10:49 pm (UTC)Outrageous. Though I am happy to report that the word can still be found on the OED website. Still, this is a travesty of biblical proportions, and it must be fought with all the intestinal fortitude that we can mustard.
As a side note, what's up with the increase in spicy language? Not that I'm bothered--but damnation and now bastards? Its a slippery slope...next thing you know, you'll be believin' the earth is millions of years old, humans evolved from monkeys, and then you'll start dancing just like them monkeys!
no subject
Date: 2004-04-01 05:54 am (UTC)And the letter is my friend Shannon's; I disavow her frequent use of that descriptive term, colorful though it may be.
no subject
Date: 2004-04-01 07:04 pm (UTC)Never mind. I just have this thing against the word 'normalcy'.