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To: Boogieman
“What makes a word “real”, pray tell?”

Are you telling me you don't know the difference between a word that someone makes up to suit his own purpose and a word that has common accepted usage and is recognized in the dictionary?

I would recommend you take a remedial English class before you write things to send to others.

Maybe you need several remedial English classes.

Most people learn the difference between real words and made up words around 2nd grade if not earlier.

36 posted on 06/21/2013 7:03:16 PM PDT by detective
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To: detective

Whew! Ask a simple question about what your subjective definition is and you start spewing insults left and right!

You see, there is a distinct difference between someone not comprehending the English language and being curious as to your intent in choosing how to use that language. My inquiry was in the latter category, not the former.

I did glean from your reply, though, that your definition of a “real word” is that it has common usage, and is recognized in a dictionary. Still, that leaves the question as to whether a word which has common usage is not a “real word” until it is recognized by a dictionary. After all, dictionary editors do not invent words, they simply compile them.

So, do words require a dictionary’s stamp of approval to be real or is common usage enough?


41 posted on 06/21/2013 7:55:56 PM PDT by Boogieman
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