to "overtake" a computer (UNCLASSIFIED)

[Joel S. Berson]

At 8/26/2009 03:07 PM, Mullins, Bill AMRDEC wrote:
>Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
>Caveats: NONE
>
>Or maybe she meant "take over".

Yes.  What I really assumed she meant, but substituted a mistake for,
but I didn't say so explicitly.

Joel

> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On
> > Behalf Of Joel S. Berson
> > Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 1:53 PM
> > To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> > Subject: to "overtake" a computer
> >
> > ---------------------- Information from the mail header
>---------------
> > --------
> > Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> > Poster:       "Joel S. Berson" <Berson at ATT.NET>
> > Subject:      to "overtake" a computer
> >
>-----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > --------
> >
> > In an article in today's Boston Globe about viruses that hide within
> > downloaded images of celebrities, its writer says "Once downloaded,
> > they overtake the computer, resulting in pop-up screens or even
> > identity theft."
> >
> > She must be thinking of fast mobile computers.
> >
> > I don't think she really meant "overtake, v.", either
> > 2.c. To become greater or more successful than; or
> > 5.    To overpower the will, senses, or feelings of; to win over,
> > captivate; to overwhelm with emotion.  [We all know computers don't
> > have emotions to be captivated.]
> >
> > Perhaps she meant
> > 8. Chiefly Sc. To take up or occupy the whole of (a space); to extend
> > over, cover. Obs.; or
> > 9.  To overcome the judgement of; to deceive, take in.  Obs.
> >
> > But as the lyrics to the theme song for "Monk" say, "But I don't think
> > so."
> >
> > Joel
> >
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>Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
>Caveats: NONE
>
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