why buy the cow?

[RonButters at AOL.COM]

I hope the good lexicographers don't hold me responsible for the "underpaid
and overworked" part--I would gladly pay double what I pay for dictionaries
if it meant that those who toil in the fields of lexicography could get what
they are worth. But then, I'm not one of those in a position of power here.

The good Judge Popik, of course--in total violation of the basic tenets of
the capitalist system in which we all toil--does his lexicographical work for
free; and those who are "in a position of power" are quite willing to exploit
him for nothing. I for one would be delighted to see him be paid for what he
is worth, which, lexicographically speaking, is apparently a pretty penny.

Perhaps someone would care to do a study of the history of the aphorism, "Why
buy the cow if you can get the milk for free?"--or, as Samuel Johnson may
have said, "Why buy the cow if you can get lots of great free milk -- even if
you have to put up with an occasional irritating mooooo?"


In a message dated 7/31/2002 10:11:45 AM, jdespres at MERRIAM-WEBSTER.COM writes:

<< BP's response to RB's posting promted this reflection, which I hope
is of some consolation to him:  some (perhaps more than a few?)
of us who do lexical research feel underpaid, overworked, and of
little value to those in positions of power, and half worry that, after
years of toiling away in sedentary solitude, we'll turn into fat old
eccentrics.  But after all, we're in good company.  Remember
Samuel Johnson?

Joanne >>