Erasmic?

Richard Lindeman richlind at uswest.net
Thu Jul 16 12:43:19 EDT 1998


James Ernest wrote:
> 
> An editor will be pardoned for nitpicking, I hope; it's what
> we're best at.
> 
> At the moment I can think of only one adjective that
> ends with -smic, and it ain't Erasmic.  Isn't the usual
> adjectivization of Erasmus Erasmian?  --Quit willing
> to learn that I'm wrong...
> 
> --------------------------------------------------------
> James D. Ernest
> Senior editor, academic books, Hendrickson Publishers
> Ph.D. cand., Boston College
> S-MAIL: c/o Hendrickson Publishers, 140 Summit Street,
>   P. O. Box 3473, Peabody, MA 01961-3473 USA
> FAX: 978/573-8243         PHONE: 978/573-2243
> E-MAIL: jernest at hendrickson.com / ernest at bc.edu
> --------------------------------------------------------
>

:-[ 

Thanks for the editors critique.
MEA CULPA I have sinned. "Erasmian" is probably better English when it
comes to a history of usage.

But the formation of adjectives is not by any means bound by
dictionaries.  A dictionary merely reflects actual usage by common
people.  Therefore, as a common person, I claim the right to say
"Erasmic" if and when it pleases me.  I am permitted to coin a new word
am I not? People do it every day.  
:-)

By the way... does anyone know the derivation and root meaning of
"-mic"? Perhaps that would decide the matter one way or the other. 

Rich Lindeman



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