Date:  Wed, 2 Nov 1994 11:17:41 GMT

From:  "Warren A. Brewer" <NCUT054[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]TWNMOE10.BITNET>

Subject: Relics



My favorite "relic" is telephone terminology. We still say, "Your

phone's off the hook," "Hang up and redial." I've never even seen

an old-fashioned telephone where the receiver had to be hung up on a

hook, except on tv or in movies. Haven't used a dial since I can't

remember when. Suppose this is semantic shift with loss of original

referent.



Cf. to ship goods by plane/truck/train, as well as by boat still.

To (set) sail <-- ? affix sails on a boat?



                   ---Wab.