9.438, Sum: "-mt" in English

[The LINGUIST List]

LINGUIST List:  Vol-9-438. Sun Mar 22 1998. ISSN: 1068-4875.

Subject: 9.438, Sum: "-mt" in English

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=================================Directory=================================

1)
Date:  Wed, 18 Mar 1998 01:55:46 -0800 (PST)
From:  alan harris <vcspc005 at email.csun.edu>
Subject:  -mt

-------------------------------- Message 1 -------------------------------

Date:  Wed, 18 Mar 1998 01:55:46 -0800 (PST)
From:  alan harris <vcspc005 at email.csun.edu>
Subject:  -mt

It seems that orthographically the only word in English to end in '-mt'
is "(un)dreamt."  Perhaps the "missing" '-p-  was a  scriptural error, but
more likely it was the seemingly productive spelling rule that added '-t' to
the base form to get the past participle (if you will permit a little
prescriptive gibberish).  All other forms, according to all persons who
responded, are abbrev.'s. . .cheers, ach
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       Alan C. Harris, Ph. D.          TELNOS: main off:  818-677-2853
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