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Usenet Posted 23 years ago
Usage
A disconcerting experience.
Today I had occasion to look up a word in Webster's Second. (See the thread.) In the old central branch of the Minneapolis Public Library, this dictionary was one of those always on display for whoever needed to consult it.
Minneapolis is in the process of building a new central branch library building, and as a result has set up a temporary central branch in a smaller building. When I did not see a copy of Webster's Second on display, I asked for it at the reference desk.
The two librarians I asked about it were unfamiliar with it! One made the comment, "A lot of dictionaries are named 'Webster's,'" which is certainly true, but Webster's Second is not just any old dictionary. It's a special old dictionary. I didn't say anything, except that, when offered Webster's Third, I mentioned that I wanted to consult the Second for historical reasons. I also was unable to tell the librarian the exact name of the dictionary. After a few false starts, I suggested "*Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language,* Second Edition," and the librarian was then able to find it on the computer and send down to storage for it.
It never occurred to me that a reference librarian might not be able to immediately locate a copy of Webster's Second. It was, as I said in my subject line, a disconcerting experience. And I'll tell you, it made me feel old.
Raymond S. Wise
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
mplsray @ yahoo . com
Minneapolis is in the process of building a new central branch library building, and as a result has set up a temporary central branch in a smaller building. When I did not see a copy of Webster's Second on display, I asked for it at the reference desk.
The two librarians I asked about it were unfamiliar with it! One made the comment, "A lot of dictionaries are named 'Webster's,'" which is certainly true, but Webster's Second is not just any old dictionary. It's a special old dictionary. I didn't say anything, except that, when offered Webster's Third, I mentioned that I wanted to consult the Second for historical reasons. I also was unable to tell the librarian the exact name of the dictionary. After a few false starts, I suggested "*Webster's New International Dictionary of the English Language,* Second Edition," and the librarian was then able to find it on the computer and send down to storage for it.
It never occurred to me that a reference librarian might not be able to immediately locate a copy of Webster's Second. It was, as I said in my subject line, a disconcerting experience. And I'll tell you, it made me feel old.
Raymond S. Wise
Minneapolis, Minnesota USA
mplsray @ yahoo . com
Top answer
[nq:1]It never occurred to me that a reference librarian might not be able to immediately locate a copy of Webster's Second. It was, as I said in my subject line, a disconcerting experience. [/nq] They don't make them like they used to.
- [nq:1]It never occurred to me that a reference librarian might not be able to immediately locate a copy of Webster's Second.
- It was, as I said in my subject line, a disconcerting experience.
- [/nq] They don't make them like they used to.
- com/opus731/
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35 Answers
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[nq:1]It never occurred to me that a reference librarian might not be able to immediately locate a copy of Webster's Second. It was, as I said in my subject line, a disconcerting experience. And I'll tell you, it made me feel old.[/nq]
They don't make them like they used to.
Skitt (in Hayward, California)
www.geocities.com/opus731/
They don't make them like they used to.
Skitt (in Hayward, California)
www.geocities.com/opus731/
00
[nq:2]It never occurred to me that a reference librarian might ... experience. And I'll tell you, it made me feel old.[/nq]
[nq:1]They don't make them like they used to.[/nq]
No they don't. I'll bet a cup of coffee that Marian would have known exactly what you were looking for.
-YJ
[nq:1]They don't make them like they used to.[/nq]
No they don't. I'll bet a cup of coffee that Marian would have known exactly what you were looking for.
-YJ
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[nq:1]Today I had occasion to look up a word in Webster's Second. (See the thread.) In ... was, as I said in my subject line, a disconcerting experience. And I'll tell you, it made me feel old.[/nq]
You have my sympathy.
If you want another way to feel old, go to the list of idioms in the Dict. of Cultural Lit., which you so kindly pointed out the other day. There you will find hundreds o
You have my sympathy.
If you want another way to feel old, go to the list of idioms in the Dict. of Cultural Lit., which you so kindly pointed out the other day. There you will find hundreds o
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[nq:2]They don't make them like they used to.[/nq]
[nq:1]No they don't. I'll bet a cup of coffee that Marian would have known exactly what you were looking for.[/nq]
From the song "Marian the Librarian"
If I stumbled and I busted my what-you-may-call-it I could lie on your floor
'Till my body had turned to carrion..Madam Librarian.
How many songs can you think of that have
[nq:1]No they don't. I'll bet a cup of coffee that Marian would have known exactly what you were looking for.[/nq]
From the song "Marian the Librarian"
If I stumbled and I busted my what-you-may-call-it I could lie on your floor
'Till my body had turned to carrion..Madam Librarian.
How many songs can you think of that have
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[nq:2]They don't make them like they used to.[/nq]
[nq:1]No they don't. I'll bet a cup of coffee that Marian would have known exactly what you were looking for.[/nq]
So would my sister, a retired UCLA librarian.
Skitt (in Hayward, California)
www.geocities.com/opus731/
[nq:1]No they don't. I'll bet a cup of coffee that Marian would have known exactly what you were looking for.[/nq]
So would my sister, a retired UCLA librarian.
Skitt (in Hayward, California)
www.geocities.com/opus731/
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[nq:1]From the song "Marian the Librarian" If I stumbled and I busted my what-you-may-call-it I could lie on your floor 'Till my body had turned to carrion..Madam Librarian. How many songs can you think of that have the word "carrion" in the lyrics?[/nq]
I dunno, Coop, but those lyrics must have been penned by a MIMIM speaker. "Carrion" has the "marry" vowel, while for "librarian" I seem to wa
I dunno, Coop, but those lyrics must have been penned by a MIMIM speaker. "Carrion" has the "marry" vowel, while for "librarian" I seem to wa
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"Raymond S. Wise" (Email Removed) wrote on 11 Dec 2003:
[nq:1]Today I had occasion to look up a word in Webster's Second. (See the thread.) In ... was, as I said in my subject line, a disconcerting experience. And I'll tell you, it made me feel old.[/nq]
They must have received their MLS degress from McDonald's Hamburger University.
Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor.
[nq:1]Today I had occasion to look up a word in Webster's Second. (See the thread.) In ... was, as I said in my subject line, a disconcerting experience. And I'll tell you, it made me feel old.[/nq]
They must have received their MLS degress from McDonald's Hamburger University.
Franke: EFL teacher & medical editor.
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[nq:1]From the song "Marian the Librarian" If I stumbled and I busted my what-you-may-call-it I could lie on your floor 'Till my body had turned to carrion..Madam Librarian. How many songs can you think of that have the word "carrion" in the lyrics?[/nq]
None: but that's perhaps because there are so few rhymes for it. In most -?all - forms of BrE, "carrion" rhymes with "Marian" (or "Marion"),
None: but that's perhaps because there are so few rhymes for it. In most -?all - forms of BrE, "carrion" rhymes with "Marian" (or "Marion"),
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[nq:1]It never occurred to me that a reference librarian might not be able to immediately locate a copy of Webster's Second. It was, as I said in my subject line, a disconcerting experience. And I'll tell you, it made mefeel old.[/nq]
Seeking a shred of hope, I was glad to
suppose Minneapolis librarians did not yet
reply with the magic word "Whatever . . . "
Don Phillipson
Seeking a shred of hope, I was glad to
suppose Minneapolis librarians did not yet
reply with the magic word "Whatever . . . "
Don Phillipson
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[nq:2]From the song "Marian the Librarian" If I stumbled and ... think of that have the word "carrion" in the lyrics?[/nq]
[nq:1]None: but that's perhaps because there are so few rhymes for it. In most -?all - forms of BrE, "carrion" ... "Marion"is also found as a male name.) And is Marian as a girl's name seen as aversion of "Mary Ann"?[/nq]
The only Marions I can think of off the top of
[nq:1]None: but that's perhaps because there are so few rhymes for it. In most -?all - forms of BrE, "carrion" ... "Marion"is also found as a male name.) And is Marian as a girl's name seen as aversion of "Mary Ann"?[/nq]
The only Marions I can think of off the top of
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