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From: iad@cogsci.ed.ac.uk (Ivan A Derzhanski)
Subject: Re: Borrowed Words
Message-ID: <D84M7L.JMy@cogsci.ed.ac.uk>
Organization: Centre for Cognitive Science, Edinburgh, UK
References: <3mun7h$d6e@news.primenet.com> <1995Apr22.094111.1@stan.brandonu.ca> <bmoore-2604951219310001@bmoore.qualcomm.com>
Date: Fri, 5 May 1995 22:23:44 GMT
Lines: 21

In article <bmoore-2604951219310001@bmoore.qualcomm.com> bmoore@qualcomm.com (Holoholona) writes:
>> In article <3mun7h$d6e@news.primenet.com>, jpmork@primenet.com (James P Mork) writes:
>> > [...] I've heard both the 200 words for snow and the 3000 
>> > species of potatoes from what I consider respected sources.
>> > I doubt I'm gonna change my views just because some newsgroup
>> > is spreading a rumor.  Do you have a PRINTED source?
[...]
>The urban myth of the Inuit and their snow vocabulary is so pervasive that
>it is indeed quite likely to see it printed in otherwise reputable sources.

Indeed.  Books are notoriously good at spreading rumours.

Besides, just what is the rumour that sci.lang is spreading?
`Hey, know what?  Inuit doesn't have 200 words for "snow"!'?
That doesn't sound like the stuff that rumours are made of.

-- 
`"Haud oan there a meenit," says the king tae Joseph, "I've been thinkin."'
Ivan A Derzhanski (iad@cogsci.ed.ac.uk)    (J Stuart, _Auld Testament Tales_)
* Centre for Cognitive Science,  2 Buccleuch Place,   Edinburgh EH8 9LW,  UK
* Cowan House E113, Pollock Halls, 18 Holyrood Pk Rd, Edinburgh EH16 5BD, UK
