operativeness

[Arnold Zwicky]

On Mar 8, 2009, at 10:45 AM, Philip E. Cleary wrote:

>> [AMZ] various dictionaries give several senses for "operative",
>> including a
>> use for words, picking out the word "having the most relevance or
>> significance in a phrase or sentence" (NOAD2) -- in which use it
>> couldn't pick out two (or more) words.
>>
>> however, the OED has an subentry noting that "operative" has a
>> relatively recent (cites from 1962, 1979, and 1990) extended sense:
>>
>> "In weakened sense (without reference to specific activity or
>> production): significant, important."
>>
>> and that would fit the McCain quote.
>
> When I read the quote, I immediately thought of Ron Ziegler's famous
> remark about "inoperative" statements.

yes, everybody i mention the McCain example to thinks of the Ziegler
quote.  but they really aren't the same thing.  the Ziegler quote is
of the earlier use of "inoperative", meaning 'not operative, not
effective, not in force, not applicable'.  the McCain quote with
"operative" is a couple steps beyond this, into 'significant,
important' territory.

arnold

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