Date:    Fri, 20 Mar 1998 14:43:44 -0500
<br>From:    Gregory {Greg} Downing  downingg[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]IS2.NYU.EDU 
<br>Subject: Re: standardization of non-standard forms
<br>
<br>At 02:04 PM 3/20/98 EST, RonButters  RonButters[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]AOL.COM  wrote:
<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>
<br>On "beg the question," see OED2 beg v., meaning 6, first citation 1581.
<br>
<br>See also OED2 beggar n., meaning 4, first citation 1579.
<br>
<br>It seems to be especially favored in philosophical or classical-logic contexts.
<br>
<br>I happen to first recall it from undergrad philosophy courses at the end of
<br>the 1970s.
<br>
<br>{I've been away for a week; there may be things in old messages for me to
<br>respond to, when I find time this weekend.}
<br>
<br>Greg Downing/NYU, at greg.downing[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]nyu.edu or downingg[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]is2.nyu.edu
<br>