diverse = 'ethnically different'

[ronbutters at AOL.COM]

We infer that he means 'ethnically diverse' or 'linguistically diverse' because nothing else makes readily apparent sense, given the extremely limited context, except maybe topography or weather or animals considered restaurant menu items.  This does not mean that "diverse" MEANS 'ethically diverse' or 'linguistically diverse'.

Try:

UMass may be more diverse than MIT
The Met may be more diverse than MOMA
Chinese military arms may be less diverse than America's
Your litter of puppies may be more diverse than mine
The California wine industry may be more diverse than that of North Carolina ...

Why not even

African-American Congresspersons may be less diverse than other ethnic groups, but there are still one or two closeted gays among our ranks.

Sent from my iPad

On Jan 18, 2011, at 12:29 PM, Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at GMAIL.COM> wrote:

> African-American Congressman on CNN just now: "China may be diverse compared
> to us...."
>
> JL
> --
> "If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the truth."
>
> ------------------------------------------------------------
> The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org

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The American Dialect Society - http://www.americandialect.org