Please see comments embedded below.
Dick
----- Original Message -----
From: allisonp <allisonp_at_world.std.com>
To: <classiccmp_at_classiccmp.org>
Sent: Saturday, April 08, 2000 7:39 PM
Subject: Re: !Re: Nuke Redmond!
> >Your defense is unnecessary, since it's only by coincidence that I
happened
>
>
> No defense, more a commentary on how much fun language can be.
>
> >This particular expression is use so much without a thought as to its
> actual
> >meaning. I'm not entirely certain how the term slough became associated
> >with an indeterminate but large number, but that seems to be what is
meant.
> >I guess it started with someone referring to ducks or frogs or
mosquitoes.
>
> There is that. My experience is the term "slew rate" commonly associated
> with op-amps.
>
Yes, but that's a rate of change with units and everything! In "a whole
slew of ..." it is a qualitative reference to a quantifiable value.
>
> Now the common use, slew meaning a whole lot of them is more in the
> realm of slang and something I am accustomed to.
>
Yes, I saw that. It's a tertiary definition in the '71 Webster, but may
have been promoted due to changes in usage in the intervening decades. The
dictionary that was my reference when I learned the language
>
> So the juxtapostion of delta, large quantiry and also quagmire in that
> statement was subtle good humor. Then again I enjoy Samual Clements
> and his style of writing as well.
>
>
> Allison
>
>
Received on Sun Apr 09 2000 - 01:40:00 BST