>>> "Spruiell, William C" <[log in to unmask]> 1/30/2008 5:07 PM >>>
Even descriptive linguists have a
prescriptivist streak -- we just feel more conflicted about it.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Now there's an entertaining topic . . . what prescriptivist tendencies will others of you admit to?  I confess to being irritated by "ice tea"--it's tea with ice in it, not tea made of ice--despite the fact that I have no problem with "ice cream" or "ice water."  (Though I guess "ice water" would be a closer call in any event, since ice & water are both h20.)

Beth (who should be grading papers)
(and who also feels conflicted about her pet peeves)

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