The earth v. Earth

[Doug Harris]

On a _much_ smaller scale (but similarly curious, language-wise), is the
British practice of referring to certain countries with the 'the' article
preceding their name. To wit, The Gambia, The Lebanon.
I believe I know the historic logic for this, but there was a similar logic
for their use of the 'aeroplane / aeroport' spellings, which The Sunday
Telegraph (and others) persisted in using until at least the 1980's. Wisely,
though, albeit with much kicking and screaming, I imagine, the latter paper
seems to have come 'round to using 'airport' _except_ when referring to the
French versions of places where aero... whoops, airplanes land.
(the other) doug



I'm pretty sure - though I wouldn't bet money on it - that, back in
the '40's and '50's - the earth was referred to as "_the_ earth." More
recently, it seems to me, "the earth" has been replaced by "Earth."
Here's an instance that's neither "the earth" nor "Earth." It could be
a simple typo, however.

-Wilson

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