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that is a bastard derivative of the original meaning.

Nuthouses were dubbed "Insane Asylums" in a fit of prissy pseudo-christian euphemistic idiocy, giving a pretty name and a conscience-soothing mythology (the insane now have places of refuge from the trials of the world) to places for the permanent storage of undesirables.

I vote against "Asylum"
In its valid application, it is weak.
In its eupemistic application, it is a grotesque lie.
But then... I'm cranky this morning, so don't pay too much attention.

1,680 posted on 11/06/2005 6:35:05 AM PST by King Prout (many accuse me of being overly literal... this would not be a problem if many were not under-precise)

1,681 posted on 11/06/2005 6:39:57 AM PST by timpad (The Wizard Tim, Keeper of the Holy Hand Grenade, Finder of Obscurata)