pathic

[Ronald Butters]

I agree with "gothic." That is the most likely, given the ways he makes his other letters.  In addition, in terms of content and context, "gothic" also makes the most sense. it is a silly, empty-headed, pretentious, puerile piece of crap. I agree with the suggestion that he was drunk. I doubt that he knew what "pathic" meant (despite his rumored interest in being the top half of homosexual anal couplings).

On Feb 11, 2011, at 1:39 PM, David A. Daniel wrote:

> It's Gothic
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: American Dialect Society [mailto:ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU] On Behalf Of Paul Frank
> Sent: Friday, February 11, 2011 3:29 PM
> To: ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU
> Subject: pathic
>
>
>
> What did Marlon Brando mean by pathic (if that's what he wrote) in
> this letter? Or is it fathic?
>
> http://www.lettersofnote.com/2011/02/you-have-something-graceful-and-tender.html?showComment=1297445186855#c7106019559001693760
>
> The OED defines pathic as follows:
>
> B. adj.
>
> 1. Relating to or designating the passive partner in homosexual anal
> intercourse; homosexual.
>
> 2. Relating to suffering or disease; morbid. rare.
>
> †3. Undergoing something, passive. Obs. rare—0.
>
> 4. Involving feeling, perception, or intuition, rather than cognition
> or deliberation.
>
>
> Paul
>
>
> Paul Frank
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