Sorry, mav. It seems that Vernon and I were having so much fun tag-teaming you that we both missed this crucial little phrase:
In reply to:

I think there is a clear case of language change going on in front of our eyes on this one - ~oid started out as ‘like or not quite real’ and has gathered a denotation of ‘small’ through repeated connotative association."

Obviously I can't speak for Vernon, but I will try to read more carefully before putting the boot in next time.


noho ora mai
http://maxqnzs.com/References.html