Date: Thu, 14 Mar 1996 16:15:02 +1608

From: "Donald M. Lance" engdl[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]SHOWME.MISSOURI.EDU

Subject: Re: Thursday week - this/next Thursday



In my own syntax, and what I assume to be that of those around me,

"this Thursday" is a very elastic term, and as an editor I always try

to write around it unless the context is clear.



I recall some discussion, maybe in Austin 30 or so years ago, of the use of

"this Thursday" having different meanings to Yankees and Texans. Bethany

Dumas reminds us that 30 years haven't changed things.



As for Thursday week, I've never used it myself but my mother, and even

moreso the older members of her family, all used the locution

regularly. Southeast Arkansas, and far from aristocratic.



For the last 10-15 years I've noticed an increasing incidence of 'moreso'

in student papers. So far I haven't seen it in TIME Magazine, newspapers,

etc., but it seems to be an adverb on the rise. Any observations from the

rest of you? You lexicographers out there: How is it showing up in your

files? Is it about to make its way into dictionaries?



Donald M. Lance, University of Missouri

engdl[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]showme.missouri.edu