CAUGHT UP IN A DICTIONARY
Sir-The story by G, R. Gilbert (Listener, December -12) reminds me that I was once .the proud possessor of a Websters International Dictionary, latest edition (about 1946). I say a "proud. possessor" and so I was as I looked at the ornate binding of the bulky indexed volume. The steel engravings, the flags of all nations, the picture of Noah _Webster himself-all were there, but so were many words spelled in the American fashion. The first I looked up was "kidnapped," to find it spelled with one "p." There were other examples, also, so I immediately disposed of my Webster for twenty shillings, less than it cost. me. My Oxford will therefore do me until such time as the Amurricans -can learn to. spell correctly. As to the word "inditement" mentioned by G. R. Gilbert, I prefer the good old-fashioned spelling "indictment," and I suggest that Papa Gilbert knew something. when he swapped , his Webster for a modest pocket Oxford. Some considerable time
ago I wrote to the editor af a famous American weekly pointing out many misspellings (in my estimation) in a current issue and including the word kidnaped." The reply was that correspondence to his*paper on this matter was so voluminous that the decision was‘ against publication of such corréspondence and pointing out that it was a matter of opinion and that the eae would be never-ending.
JOHN T.
DON
(Howick),
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New Zealand Listener, Volume 26, Issue 652, 4 January 1952, Page 5
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238CAUGHT UP IN A DICTIONARY New Zealand Listener, Volume 26, Issue 652, 4 January 1952, Page 5
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Copyright in the work University Entrance by Janet Frame (credited as J.F., 22 March 1946, page 18), is owned by the Janet Frame Literary Trust. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise this article and make it available online as part of this digitised version of the New Zealand Listener. You can search, browse, and print this article for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from the Janet Frame Literary Trust for any other use.
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