"Let me play _an evil's advocate_." [NT]

Arnold Zwicky zwicky at STANFORD.EDU
Fri Sep 2 14:10:09 UTC 2011


On Sep 2, 2011, at 6:40 AM, Larry Horn wrote:

> Subject:      Re: "Let me play _an evil's advocate_." [NT]
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> Perhaps an orthographically rather than phonologically motivated reanalysis, as in (I assume) chaise longue > chaise lounge?

seems likely.  here are a few examples (after weeding out a number that seem to come from non-native speakers):

http://slashdot.org/story/11/09/01/1829257/Solar-Company-Folds-After-05B-In-Subsidies

Before anyone jumps to the conclusion that green technology is not profitable and therefore a big scam, or a modern religion if you will, with all of its guilt, shame and asking for money, let me state an opinion that might not be popular here: Maybe, just maybe, the subsidies was too low? I know what you think but let me play an evil's advocate for a second. How much the fresh air is worth to you? To your children? To your children's children? To your children's children's grandchildren?

.....

http://boatertalk.com/forum/BoaterTalk/631841/

To play the evil's advocate:  but consider that driving is a privledge, not a right, ...

.....

http://vicsoriano.blogspot.com/2009/11/of-bullies-and-bullying.html

Of course, we always take side with our daughter because we know that she is a good child and a good classmate. But, we also try to be impartial and give her classmates the benefit of the doubt. We sometimes play the evil's advocate so we can see the other side of the story.

.....

arnold

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



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