to "overtake" a computer (UNCLASSIFIED)

[David Bergdahl]

My 1st father-in-law (Bavarian, b. 1899) used "overtake" as the usual term
for passing a car on the highway; maybe the computer usage is ana analogous
use of this sense.
-db

On Wed, Aug 26, 2009 at 4:23 PM, Joel S. Berson <Berson at att.net> wrote:

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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       "Joel S. Berson" <Berson at ATT.NET>
> Subject:      Re: to "overtake" a computer (UNCLASSIFIED)
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> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> At 8/26/2009 03:07 PM, Mullins, Bill AMRDEC wrote:
> >Classification: UNCLASSIFIED
> >Caveats: NONE
> >
> >Or maybe she meant "take over".
>
> Yes.  What I really assumed she meant, but substituted a mistake for,
> but I didn't say so explicitly.
>
> Joel
>
> > > -----Original Message-----
> > > From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On
> > > Behalf Of Joel S. Berson
> > > Sent: Wednesday, August 26, 2009 1:53 PM
> > > To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> > > Subject: to "overtake" a computer
> > >
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> > > Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> > > Poster:       "Joel S. Berson" <Berson at ATT.NET>
> > > Subject:      to "overtake" a computer
> > >
> >-----------------------------------------------------------------------
> > > --------
> > >
> > > In an article in today's Boston Globe about viruses that hide within
> > > downloaded images of celebrities, its writer says "Once downloaded,
> > > they overtake the computer, resulting in pop-up screens or even
> > > identity theft."
> > >
> > > She must be thinking of fast mobile computers.
> > >
> > > I don't think she really meant "overtake, v.", either
> > > 2.c. To become greater or more successful than; or
> > > 5.    To overpower the will, senses, or feelings of; to win over,
> > > captivate; to overwhelm with emotion.  [We all know computers don't
> > > have emotions to be captivated.]
> > >
> > > Perhaps she meant
> > > 8. Chiefly Sc. To take up or occupy the whole of (a space); to extend
> > > over, cover. Obs.; or
> > > 9.  To overcome the judgement of; to deceive, take in.  Obs.
> > >
> > > But as the lyrics to the theme song for "Monk" say, "But I don't think
> > > so."
> > >
> > > Joel
> > >
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