Another immaculate conception

[Benjamin Barrett]

As Fred Shapiro notes at http://listserv.linguistlist.org/cgi-bin/wa?A2=ind1012C&L=ADS-L&P=R6892&I=-3&X=0B5885737CEF3FC2B4, people often misunderstand what "immaculate conception" means. (The virgin conception of Mary being included in the term "virgin birth" is not transparent.)

Another instance of this is in "The Mystery of the Immaculately Conceived Baby Anteater" (http://news.yahoo.com/mystery-immaculately-conceived-baby-anteater-140155441.html), which includes the sentence: 'Some people thought it was "immaculate anteater conception" (though probably no one really thought that).'

Benjamin Barrett
Seattle, WA
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