John H wrote:
On 24 Jun 2004 02:27:49 GMT, (Gould 0738) wrote:
For a couple of good reasons.
1) Many of the people who describe themselves as "neoconservatives" have never
been liberals.
2) Other dictionaries disagree with MW.
Nothing gets the rocks off like a fantasy that liberals are going over to your
side in droves, I know, but that's not what the term
means in US politics.
In fact, why
don't we use the definition that m-w.com has for neoconservative just to
make it easier for everyone to stay on the same page.
Which dictionary is the one we should all rely on for accuracy?
John H
On the 'Poco Loco' out of Deale, MD
on the beautiful Chesapeake Bay!
If this is an example of your "thinking ability," Herring, you really
shouldn't be allowed anywhere near a classroom. English is not a dead
language. The meanings of words change or evolve. The current meaning of
"neoconservative" has evolved over the last decade, and is as the
Chuckster offered here. It obviously supercedes whatever out-of-date
dictionary you might be consulting.
And, as for "which" dictionary we should rely upon for accuracy, as an
etymologist, I suggest there is no such dictionary. I own many
dictionaries, including several editions of the OED, and when I want to
really mess around with words, I might consult a dozen hard-copy
dictionaries and several on-line sources, including the reasonably
up-to-date electronic OED.
Word play is not your game, Herring. I don't know what is...perhaps you
have a future as a Southern Baptist evangelist.