Date: Tue, 8 Aug 1995 03:05:26 CDT
From: "Donald M. Lance" ENGDL[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]MIZZOU1.MISSOURI.EDU
Subject: Re: Counting those e-mails
The Times query may indirectly be about something not included in their
(one instance of) "an e-mail." When you send in something to a List,
what have you done? You've sent a posting (count noun). When you send
something to an individual correspondent, what have you done? You've
sent a(n) __________ (count noun). I tend to say "message" but don't
feel that this is exactly the lexicosemantic item I need. I don't want
to say that I've sent a "letter," and certainly not "a mail." Maybe
"a mailing," but that's what I do when I prepare a batch of things to send
out as if I'm imitating Publishers Clearinghouse in some humble way.
What say ye? DMLance