"Elope" from a nursing home?

[Mark Mandel]

This is standard terminology in mental hospitals.

m a m

On Nov 15, 2007 10:58 PM, Joel S. Berson <Berson at att.net> wrote:

> I have been told that a resident of a nursing home was informed that
> he would not be readmitted because he had eloped (that is, left
> without permission and not returned soon).  While "elope" does have
> such a sense (2. gen. To run away, escape, abscond), I find this
> application unusual.  Any comments?
>
> Joel
>

------------------------------------------------------------
The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org