youtubage

Istenem · Post by **Istenem** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 4:53 pm

well yes; for example CHAV is now widely recognised as an authentic word but five years ago none (few) of us would have ever heard of it.

i don't have an issue with English evolving but i do find it upsetting that SOWPODS is setting arbitrary constraints (most obviously the 15-letter rule ) but also a preponderance for words of unlikely composition (often mistransliterated, obscure foreign words which are rarely used in the host language (let alone English)).

the bottom line of my argument is that a word can have no value without context and context demands a meaning. wordlists choose to disregard this fundamental aspect of language.

but as Mr Bob said, he couldn't give a tinker's cuss whether QUIZZICALITIES is legit, in WUGM it is allowed and it gets lots of points. in my line of work i have to champion words which is probably why i come across as something of a pedant. but i'm sticking to my guns.

my previous example, XERAFIN is an imported portuguese word* which is allowed by SOWPODS and which contains an X in transliteration. portuguese does not use the letter X.

* it is the portuguese word for votive coins which were offered to a deity in goa (india).

Ernest W. Quality · Post by **Ernest W. Quality** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 4:59 pm

xerafim?

fotherz · Post by **fotherz** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:11 pm

No - xerafin or xeraphin, according to Chambers.

roberto la vigna · Post by **roberto la vigna** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 6:42 pm

XERAPHIN isn't in the current SOWPODS (slightly old Chambers+Collins+US list).

XERAFIN and XERAPHIM are.

fotherz · Post by **fotherz** » Thu Aug 09, 2007 10:29 pm

SOWPODS is arbitrary. Fact.

roberto la vigna · Post by **roberto la vigna** » Fri Aug 10, 2007 10:47 am

So therefore Collins is arbitrary?