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To: dangus
Not NPR, rather Jonathon Swift in 1728, Gulliver's travels.

Main Entry: Brob·ding·nag·ian Pronunciation: \ˌbräb-diŋ-ˈna-gē-ən, -dig-ˈna-\ Function: adjective Etymology: Brobdingnag, imaginary land of giants in Gulliver's Travels, by Jonathan Swift Date: 1728 : marked by tremendous size — Brobdingnagian noun

25 posted on 05/28/2010 7:03:50 AM PDT by xsmommy
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To: xsmommy

Yes, I’m quite familiar with the etymology, and if I weren’t, the initial post would have taught me. My point was that it’s a completely useless word, since it merely expands “huge” into 4 or 5 syllables and a few really difficult phoneme transitions, without really adding meaning. Why is Jonathan Swift that references to his stories are counted as words? Why is “Brobdinganian” for “huge” any more correct that “Sauronic” for “evil?” Why shouldn’t I call Europe’s response to Islam “Theodenic?”

The only difference is the pretense of being literary. It’s positively Allthingsconsideredly; downright Sundaytimesian.


121 posted on 05/28/2010 12:19:30 PM PDT by dangus
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