Noah Webster at 250

[Dennis Baron]

OK, Larry, where is the preposterous cite? I don't see it under
preposterous in my 1828 facsimile. is it in the 1806 (thought there
weren't cites in that).?

Webster had fanciful etymologies, and his self-promotion was rampant
-- didn't he also write reviews of his works under fake names? did he
originate that practice, or am i misremembering.

D


Dennis Baron
Professor of English and Linguistics
Department of English
University of Illinois
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Urbana, IL 61801

office: 217-244-0568
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On Oct 15, 2008, at 9:30 AM, Laurence Horn wrote:

> Preposterous_ is illustrated by 'A republican government in the
> hands of females is preposterous'

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