At 01:47 PM 1/30/2008, Karl Hagen wrote:
>So do you restrict the application of "dilapidated" only to stone
>structures? Do you believe that "nice" _really_ means "ignorant"? Or
>that a "gossip" is actually a godparent?
>That line of thinking is generally known as the etymological fallacy for
>good reason.

DD: Well most of the structures referred to as dilapidated, either 
don't have stone, or what there is, is falling out, I have no 
problems there. As I said, I understand what is meant in the 
transmission, which is all that is required from Information Theory. 
i.e. The message got through to the receiver, more or less without 
garble. I like word folly, and I said I fall into it, often.  In some 
dialects of English the Old English "godsibb" as gossip, still means 
god parent. Still, most of the godparents I know do chatter about 
others. On nescius, -a, -um, you have me pegged to the wall. I still 
use it as "wanton" rather than unaware. If you are a male, surely you 
remember the reply to the old question, "What is the definition of a 
nice girl?" I am fond of fools, too. Like Parcifal. I rather like the 
term, "etymological fallacy" since fallicia has as one of its 
meanings, "trick," so we have basically, "true word tricks," a 
delightful logical concept. I thank you all for introducing me to the 
term. I almost repent of my folly, going forth to bear the banner of 
Shannon and Georgescu Roegan and the Honor of Bell Labs.

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