I Know That Data Is Here Somewhere…

Bryson says “fly” is the word with the most defintions. I thought is was “fire”.

No, it’s not technically wrong, but it’s showy, deliberate and vain.

And THAT is judgmental, presumptuous and frequently incorrect.

Some people, myself included, simply TRY to use the language correctly. ...regardless of what others may or may not think.

The author seems to come from the Webster's, "might makes right" approach to the language. "There is no right and wrong, it's whatever people are saying."

Pffft. Sounds like a liberal angle to me.

My post 40 has it properly formatted. What about his examples? He seems to make a good point. However, “datum” is still an English word, I’m not sure his other examples are, so perhaps he’s mixing an apple with oranges.

Oops - forum is obviously still in use as an English word. I don't even completely read my own post before posting! (G’night!)

However, “datum” is still an English word, I’m not sure his other examples are, so perhaps he’s mixing an apple with oranges.

That was my thought as well.

Another one which has come up in my work is "curriculum" and "curricula". A software application I administer uses the non-word "curriculums" in it.

Lol, I just luv wat you rite. If yu are ever in Delaware, eyed injoi to by yu a beer. We cood speek abowt this subjek.

Don’t let the MSM win this.

Show everybody you know (best ClimateGate clips):

http://www.BraveNewCommie.com

Well, as to my theory, you may be right to disagree. The Galileo usage I mentioned is on page 372 of the UofC edition of "The Dialogue" ... "... Copernicus himself says there is no such variation there; and they, arguing ad hominem, grant this to him."

Now here, the "tailoring" of the argument takes the form of accommodating the opponents premises, and in the following text Salviati remarks, "... I believe they argue against the man more in the defense of another man, more than any great desire to get at the truth."

So here the adjustment of the argument to accommodate an opponent is taken to mean that the argument is being made against that opponent, and I suppose the idea of ad hominem as an attack would arise from the idea of arguing directly against someone else, even though that is not the actual meaning of the term.

Heck dr lew, I just wanted you to agree with me.

In a US Navy warship’s Combat Information Center, an enemy submarine contact is referred to as a Target Datum. If there is more than one, they are numbered; ‘Datum-1, Datum-2’, etc.

On your note that ‘fire’ has the most separate definitions, When the command to fire guns, launch missiles, or Torpedos is issued, they say ‘Shoot’. Fire is pretty much limited to telling someone the compartment is burning.

So, these days, it would have been ‘You may shoot when ready, Gridley.’

>Snerk!<

Whats your position on ending sentences with prepositons. These are things I want to know about.

Like I said I

fire (f

r)

n.

1.

a. A rapid, persistent chemical change that releases heat and light and is accompanied by flame, especially the exothermic oxidation of a combustible substance.

b. Burning fuel or other material: a cooking fire; a forest fire.

2.

a. Burning intensity of feeling; ardor. See Synonyms at passion.

b. Enthusiasm.

3. Luminosity or brilliance, as of a cut and polished gemstone.

4. Liveliness and vivacity of imagination; brilliance.

5. A severe test; a trial or torment.

6. A fever or bodily inflammation.

7.

a. The discharge of firearms or artillery: heard the fire of cannon.

b. The launching of a missile, rocket, or similar ballistic body.

c. Discharged bullets or other projectiles: subjected enemy positions to heavy mortar fire; struck by rifle fire.

8. Intense, repeated attack or criticism: answered the fire from her political critics.

v. fired, fir·ing, fires

v.tr.

1.

a. To cause to burn; ignite.

b. To light (something) up as if by fire: The morning sun fired the tops of the trees.

2.

a. To add fuel to (something burning).

b. To maintain or fuel a fire in.

c. To start (a fuel-burning engine). Often used with up.

3.

a. To bake in a kiln: fire pottery.

b. To dry by heating.

4. To arouse the emotions of; make enthusiastic or ardent. Often used with up: warriors who were fired by patriotism.

5.

a. To discharge (a firearm, for example).

b. To detonate (an explosive).

6.

a. To propel (a projectile); launch (a missile).

b. Informal To throw with force and speed; hurl: fire a ball at a batter.

c. To utter or direct with insistence: fired questions at the senator.

7. Games To score (a number) in a game or contest.

8. To discharge from a position; dismiss. See Synonyms at dismiss.

v.intr.

1. To become ignited; flame up.

2.

a. To become excited or ardent.

b. To become angry or annoyed.

3. To tend a fire.

4.

a. To shoot a weapon: aimed and fired at the target.

b. To detonate an explosive.

c. To ignite fuel, as in an engine.

5. Informal To project or hurl a missile: The pitcher wound up and fired.

6. Physiology To generate an electrical impulse. Used of a neuron.

7. To become yellowed or brown before reaching maturity, as grain.

Phrasal Verbs:

fire away Informal

To start to talk or ask questions.

fire off

1. To utter or ask rapidly.

2. To write and send (a letter, for example) in haste.

Idioms:

between two fires

Being attacked from two sources or sides simultaneously.

on fire

1. Ignited; ablaze.

2. Filled with enthusiasm or excitement.

start/light/build a fire under Slang

To urge or goad to action.

under fire

1. Exposed or subjected to enemy attack.

2. Exposed or subjected to critical attack or censure: an official who was under fire for mismanagement.

[Middle English fir, from Old English fr; see paw in Indo-European roots.]

firea·ble adj.

firer n.

Word History: Primitive Indo-European had pairs of words for some very common things, such as water or fire. Typically, one word in the pair was active, animate, and personified; the other, impersonal and neuter in grammatical gender. In the case of the pair of words for "fire," English has descendants of both, one inherited directly from Germanic, the other borrowed from Latin. Our word fire goes back to the neuter member of the pair. In Old English "fire" was fr, from Germanic *fr. The Indo-European form behind *fr is *pr, whence also the Greek neuter noun pr, the source of the prefix pyro-. The other Indo-European word for fire appears in ignite, which is derived from the Latin word for fire, ignis, from Indo-European *egnis. The Russian word for fire, ogon' (stem form ogn-), and the Sanskrit agni-, "fire" (deified as Agni, the god of fire), also come from *egnis, the active, animate, and personified word for fire.

fire [faɪə]

n

1. the state of combustion in which inflammable material burns, producing heat, flames, and often smoke

2.

a. a mass of burning coal, wood, etc., used esp in a hearth to heat a room

b. (in combination) firewood firelighter

3. a destructive conflagration, as of a forest, building, etc.

4. a device for heating a room, etc.

5. something resembling a fire in light or brilliance a diamond's fire

6. a flash or spark of or as if of fire

7.

a. the act of discharging weapons, artillery, etc.

b. the shells, etc., fired

8. a burst or rapid volley a fire of questions

9. intense passion; ardour

10. liveliness, as of imagination, thought, etc.

11. a burning sensation sometimes produced by drinking strong alcoholic liquor

12. fever and inflammation

13. a severe trial or torment (esp in the phrase go through fire and water)

catch fire to ignite

draw someone's fire to attract the criticism or censure of someone

hang fire

a. (Military) to delay firing

b. to delay or be delayed

no smoke without fire the evidence strongly suggests something has indeed happened

on fire

a. in a state of ignition

b. ardent or eager

c. Informal playing or performing at the height of one's abilities

(Military)

open fire to start firing a gun, artillery, etc.

play with fire to be involved in something risky

set fire to or set on fire

a. to ignite

b. to arouse or excite

set the world or (Brit) the Thames or (Scot) the heather on fire Informal to cause a great sensation

(Military)

under fire being attacked, as by weapons or by harsh criticism

24. (Spirituality, New Age, Astrology & Self-help / Astrology) (modifier) Astrology of or relating to a group of three signs of the zodiac, Aries, Leo, and Sagittarius Compare earth [10] air [20] water [12]

vb

1. (Military / Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) to discharge (a firearm or projectile) or (of a firearm, etc.) to be discharged

2. (Military / Firearms, Gunnery, Ordnance & Artillery) to detonate (an explosive charge or device) or (of such a charge or device) to be detonated

3. (tr) Informal to dismiss from employment

4. (Fine Arts & Visual Arts / Ceramics) (tr) Ceramics to bake in a kiln to harden the clay, fix the glaze, etc.

5. to kindle or be kindled; ignite

6. (tr) to provide with fuel oil fires the heating system

7. (intr) to tend a fire

8. (tr) to subject to heat

9. (tr) to heat slowly so as to dry

10. (tr) to arouse to strong emotion

11. to glow or cause to glow

12. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) (intr) (of an internal-combustion engine) to ignite

13. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Agriculture) (intr) (of grain) to become blotchy or yellow before maturity

14. (Medicine / Surgery) Vet science another word for cauterize

15. (intr) Austral informal (of a sportsman, etc.) to play well or with enthusiasm

sentence substitute

1. a cry to warn others of a fire

2. (Military) the order to begin firing a gun, artillery, etc.

[Old English fȳr; related to Old Saxon fiur, Old Norse fūrr, Old High German fūir, Greek pur]

fly¹ (fl

)

v. flew (fl

), flown (fl

n), fly·ing, flies (fl

z)

v.intr.

1. To engage in flight, especially:

a. To move through the air by means of wings or winglike parts.

b. To travel by air: We flew to Dallas.

c. To operate an aircraft or spacecraft.

2.

a. To rise in or be carried through the air by the wind: a kite flying above the playground.

b. To float or flap in the air: pennants flying from the masthead.

3. To move or be sent through the air with great speed: bullets flying in every direction; a plate that flew from my hands when I stumbled.

4.

a. To move with great speed; rush or dart: The children flew down the hall. Rumors were flying during their absence.

b. To flee; escape.

c. To hasten; spring: flew to her students' defense.

5. To pass by swiftly: a vacation flying by; youth that is soon flown.

6. To be dissipated; vanish: Their small inheritance was quickly flown.

7. past tense and past participle flied (fl

d) Baseball To hit a fly ball.

8. To undergo an explosive reaction; burst: The dropped plate flew into pieces. The motorist flew into a rage.

9. Informal To gain acceptance or approval; go over: "However sophisticated the reasoning, this particular notion may not fly" (New York Times).

v.tr.

1.

a. To cause to fly or float in the air: fly a kite; fly a flag.

b. Nautical To operate under (a particular flag): a tanker that flies the Liberian flag.

2.

a. To pilot (an aircraft or a spacecraft).

b. To carry or transport in an aircraft or a spacecraft: fly emergency supplies to a stricken area.

c. To pass over or through in flight: flew the coastal route in record time.

d. To perform in a spacecraft or an aircraft: flew six missions into space.

3.

a. To flee or run from: fly a place in panic.

b. To avoid; shun: fly temptation.

n. pl. flies

1. The act of flying; flight.

2.

a. A fold of cloth that covers a fastening of a garment, especially one on the front of trousers.

b. The fastening or opening covered by such a fold.

3. A flap that covers an entrance or forms a rooflike extension for a tent or the canopy of a vehicle.

4. A flyleaf.

5. Baseball A fly ball.

6.

a. The span of a flag from the staff to the outer edge.

b. The outer edge of a flag.

7. A flywheel.

8. flies The area directly over the stage of a theater, containing overhead lights, drop curtains, and equipment for raising and lowering sets.

9. Chiefly British A one-horse carriage, especially one for hire.

Phrasal Verb:

fly at

To attack fiercely; assault: The dogs flew at each other's throats.

Idioms:

fly high

To be elated: They were flying high after their first child was born.

fly off the handle Informal

To become suddenly enraged: flew off the handle when the train was finally canceled.

let fly

1. To shoot, hurl, or release: The troops let fly a volley of gunfire.

2. To lash out; assault: The mayor let fly with an angry attack on her critics.

on the fly

1. On the run; in a hurry: took lunch on the fly.

2. While in the air; in flight: caught the ball on the fly.

[Middle English flien, from Old English flogan; see pleu- in Indo-European roots.]

flya·ble adj.

fly² (fl

)

n. pl. flies

1.

a. Any of numerous two-winged insects of the order Diptera, especially any of the family Muscidae, which includes the housefly.

b. Any of various other flying insects, such as the caddis fly.

2. A fishing lure simulating a fly, made by attaching materials such as feathers, tinsel, and colored thread to a fishhook.

Idiom:

fly in the ointment

A detrimental circumstance or detail; a drawback.

[Middle English flie, from Old English floge; see pleu- in Indo-European roots.]

fly³ (fl

)

adj.

1. Chiefly British Mentally alert; sharp.

2. Slang Fashionable; stylish.

[Probably from fly.]

fly¹

vb flies, flying, flew, flown

1. (intr) (of birds, aircraft, etc.) to move through the air in a controlled manner using aerodynamic forces

2. (Engineering / Aeronautics) to travel over (an area of land or sea) in an aircraft

3. (Engineering / Aeronautics) to operate (an aircraft or spacecraft)

4. to float, flutter, or be displayed in the air or cause to float, etc., in this way to fly a kite they flew the flag

5. to transport or be transported by or through the air by aircraft, wind, etc.

6. (intr) to move or be moved very quickly, forcibly, or suddenly she came flying towards me the door flew open

7. (intr) to pass swiftly time flies

8. to escape from (an enemy, place, etc.); flee he flew the country

9. (intr; may be foll by at or upon) to attack a person

10. (intr) to have a sudden outburst he flew into a rage again

11. (intr) (of money, etc.) to vanish rapidly

12. (Individual Sports & Recreations / Falconry) (tr) Falconry (of hawks) to fly at (quarry) in attack peregrines fly rooks

13. (Performing Arts / Theatre) (tr) Theatre to suspend (scenery) above the stage so that it may be lowered into view

(Government, Politics & Diplomacy)

fly a kite

a. to procure money by an accommodation bill

b. to release information or take a step in order to test public opinion

fly high Informal

a. to have a high aim

b. to prosper or flourish

fly in the face of See face [19]

fly off the handle Informal to lose one's temper

fly the coop US and Canadian informal to leave suddenly

go fly a kite US and Canadian informal go away

let fly Informal

a. to lose one's temper (with a person) she really let fly at him

b. to shoot or throw (an object)

n pl flies

1. (Clothing & Fashion) (often plural) Also called fly front a closure that conceals a zip, buttons, or other fastening, by having one side overlapping, as on trousers

2. (Non-sporting Hobbies / Other Non-sporting Hobbies) Also called fly sheet

a. a flap forming the entrance to a tent

b. a piece of canvas drawn over the ridgepole of a tent to form an outer roof

3. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) a small air brake used to control the chiming of large clocks

4. (Engineering / Mechanical Engineering) the horizontal weighted arm of a fly press

5. (History / Heraldry)

a. the outer edge of a flag

b. the distance from the outer edge of a flag to the staff Compare hoist [9]

6. (Engineering / Automotive Engineering) Brit a light one-horse covered carriage formerly let out on hire

7. Austral and NZ an attempt I'll give it a fly

8. (Communication Arts / Printing, Lithography & Bookbinding) Printing

a. a device for transferring printed sheets from the press to a flat pile

b. Also called flyhand a person who collects and stacks printed matter from a printing press

c. a piece of paper folded once to make four pages, with printing only on the first page

9. (Performing Arts / Theatre) (plural) Theatre the space above the stage out of view of the audience, used for storing scenery, etc.

10. Rare the act of flying

[Old English flēogan; related to Old Frisian fliāga, Old High German fliogan, Old Norse fljūga]

flyable adj

fly²

n pl flies

1. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any dipterous insect, esp the housefly, characterized by active flight See also horsefly, blowfly, tsetse fly, crane fly

2. (Life Sciences & Allied Applications / Animals) any of various similar but unrelated insects, such as the caddis fly, firefly, dragonfly, and chalcid fly

3. (Individual Sports & Recreations / Angling) Angling a lure made from a fish-hook dressed with feathers, tinsel, etc., to resemble any of various flies or nymphs: used in fly-fishing See also dry fly, wet fly

4. (Earth Sciences / Physical Geography) (in southern Africa) an area that is infested with the tsetse fly

drink with the flies Austral slang to drink alone

fly in amber See amber [2]

fly in the ointment Informal a slight flaw that detracts from value, completeness, or enjoyment

fly on the wall a person who watches others, while not being noticed himself

there are no flies on him, her, etc Informal he, she, etc., is no fool

[Old English flēoge; related to Old Norse fluga Old High German flioga; see fly¹]

flyless adj

fly³

adj flyer, flyest Slang

1. Chiefly Brit knowing and sharp; smart

2. Chiefly Scot furtive or sneaky

3. Chiefly Scot in secret; sneakily

[of uncertain origin]

Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 6th Edition 2003. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003

fly (fl

)

Any of numerous insects of the order Diptera, having one pair of wings and large

My position is that the proscription of sentence-ending prepositions is an artifact of grammatical fascism, which was overthrown in the fifties and sixties, I think. I remember one time looking up some point or another about the dative case or something, and as I rooted through old grammar books in the library, a had an epiphany. “They’re just making all this stuff up!” I thought to myself. Grammar had become a bed of Procrustes, and the contortions required to fit every usage into a category were extreme.

Everybody recognizes this these days, and even when I was in high school, for that matter. In the tradition of “one extreme to the other” it seems as though the teaching of grammar was pretty much discarded altogether as a result of this trend, which is a shame. Of course there is structure to language, that is namely grammar, and some modicum of discipline can certainly be learned and applied with advantage to its usage. Know what I mean?

Dont fire until you see the whites of there eyes changed to dont shoot would have ended the revolution with the militia on Bunker Hill. Gridley wouldnt have had a chance.

LOL. You grammarians are so fun and what I live for.

For what I live?

For what I live?

For whom I live!

*sheesh* ;-)

Saying “data are” is like an American putting a “u” in “color,” “honor,” or “valor.”

I don't think that one's accurate. If we're concerned with the reality of how words are used, let's be consistent. Scientists and economists use the word "data" a whole lot, maybe more than anyone. I have covered them in the press for decades, and they usually say "The data are . . ." This isn't all that surprising, since the activity in their specialties goes on mostly in universities, where distinctions that might seem arcane to outsiders are in the air they breathe.

Meanwhile, techies are more private-sector oriented, and also are known for an extreme form of, shall we say, "expediency" in their language-use practices—including basic spelling and capitalization.

I think these two groups both represent genuinely significant pockets of usage.

* The meeting’s agenda are long.

Bzzzzt! "Agendum" means literally, "It should be acted upon." It is used in English to mean, "a thing that should be acted upon." If we're interested in following the usage implications, your example should read, "The meeting's list of 'agenda' items is long."

Which doesn't sound particularly funny to me. No, I don't say the word "agendum," but I have a lot of meetings, and I do go around with the sense that "agenda" is, in its heart of hearts, a plural form.

Yeah, just like "data"! What do you have against pl but sing or pl in constr ? Live a little!