a dollop unsolicited information of a lexicographic nature

Saw a thing on FB and decided not to engage because it wasn't from anyone I knew and no one was begging for my input. Instead I'll inflict the information on my readers here--who also didn't ask for it, heh.

The FB post was about a news story yesterday that "Merriam-Webster has declared 'irregardless' a word!!" The news story was full of pearl-clutching and oaths sworn to continue to teach children not to use that word, no matter what MW says, and the commenters on the FB post were shaking their ...
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Published on July 06, 2020 11:56
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CarolineFromConcord The one that gets me is "disinterested" used to mean "uninterested." I don't have the latest edition, but I know I'd be miserable if that got approved -- and I'd clutch my pearls, too, except who wears jewelry under lockdown?


message 2: by Francesca (new)

Francesca Forrest Who does, indeed!

And I hate to tell you this, but it *is* a listed definition of "disinterested," though as an editor, I always correct it--because editors ARE prescriptive!

(Here, for reference, is the MW online definition of "disinterested": 1 a : not having the mind or feelings engaged : not interested b : no longer interested 2 : free from selfish motive or interest : unbiased.


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