Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!cca!ima!inmet!rgh From: rgh@inmet.UUCP Newsgroups: net.nlang Subject: Re: Re: Semantic Reversals (irregardless Message-ID: <2027@inmet.UUCP> Date: Sat, 9-Mar-85 02:40:58 EST Article-I.D.: inmet.2027 Posted: Sat Mar 9 02:40:58 1985 Date-Received: Mon, 11-Mar-85 05:18:52 EST Lines: 11 Nf-ID: #R:dual:-95300:inmet:7300039:000:628 Nf-From: inmet!rgh Mar 7 14:02:00 1985 Helen Anne (dual!hav) sounds embittered that the American Heritage Dictionary (my favorite!) dares to list "irregardless" [defined as "regardless", and tagged as Nonstandard usage]. I don't understand her attitude. Various semiliterates DO use "irregardless" -- in cases similar to this, AHD helps me determine what in the world the user might have been trying to say. That AHD lists the word does not mean they condone it (that's what the "Nonstandard" tag is for), only that they recognize an unfortunately widespread usage. Dictionaries are descriptive, not prescriptive. Randy Hudson {ihnp4,harpo,ima}!inmet!rgh