Random find

[Ben Zimmer]

On Thu, Apr 14, 2011 at 1:56 AM, victor steinbok wrote:
>
> Of course, this is just peanuts--it's even older.
>
> OED rep n.1:
>
> 1677    T. Rawlins Tom Essence v. i. 58   Use my Shop, and pray do you too Sir; upon
>  Rep, I'le sell cheaper to you two, than to any I know.

Indeed -- abbreviating "rep" for "reputation" was one of Jonathan
Swift's bugaboos, along with "phiz" for "physiognomy" and "mob" for
"mobile vulgus".

--bgz

--
Ben Zimmer
http://benzimmer.com/

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