Date:    Fri, 20 Mar 1998 14:04:35 EST
<br>From:    RonButters  RonButters[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]AOL.COM 
<br>Subject: Re: standardization of non-standard forms
<br>
<br>In a message dated 3/11/98 9:27:38 AM, laurence.horn[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]YALE.EDU wrote:
<br>
<br>  I was just reminded of another expression that has now shifted
<br>along the lines of the (non-malapropism?) examples I was citing yesterday
<br>(proof in the pudding, wherefore art thou): the reanalysis of "beg the
<br>question".  ESPN's baseball analyst Peter Gammons last night was discussing
<br>the Toronto Blue Jays' prospects for this year, with strong pitching and
<br>uncertain hitting, and said that this "begs the question of which is more
<br>important, pitching or hitting"--i.e., it RAISES that question.  OK, not a
<br>malapropism, but this clearly represents a standardization of a form not
<br>standardly used with this meaning.  
<br>
<br>BEGS THE QUESTION in this sense has taken on a real vogue usage, I think, but
<br>as has been pointed out here (?) before, it is not new. At least my memory is
<br>that I was surprised to learn that dictionaries have been listing this "new"
<br>usage for years (I just checked my AMERICAN HBERITAGE, though, and don't find
<br>it).
<br>
<br>Larry lists "duck tape", "chaise lounge", perhaps "tenure tract" or "no holes
<br>barred". And how about  "bedroom suit"?
<br>