Date:  Wed, 2 Nov 1994 12:27:59 -0800

From:  Birrell Walsh <birrell[AT SYMBOL GOES HERE]WELL.SF.CA.US>

Subject: Re: offending idioms



On Tue, 1 Nov 1994, salikoko mufwene wrote:

[Much more than this, but I have snatched out of context the following;]



> Who is trying to legislate language here: the user/speaker or the linguist?

>

> Sali.



For once I can answer one of the good doctor's questions.



Whoso is trying to legislate language is always, without exception, without

regard to race or gender, what the Welsh call a wmbb.



And since it never works, the wmbb - the wellmeaning busybody (you'll

kinow it by its cry) - is forever redoubling the effort, alas.



Apparently ya canna control what people say, and trying mostly annoys

them. I kinow - I've tried, and grew very frustrated, and made enemies...



Birrell