(the 2 for the money thread gives rise to this.)

how many entries are in your favorite dictionary?

it's a marketing point, and (of course) the American system of counting is more... inflated than the original British system, wherein only headwords were counted. but everyone is now coming around to the competitive way of counting:

1. every word or phrase that is explicitly defined, so long as it is clearly indentifiable, usually by appearing in boldface type, is an entry -- this often includes inflected forms.
2. the more entries one has or can claim, the better.

thus, the following AHD headword has eight(8!) entries:

par·a·chute (p²r“…-sh›t”) n. 1. An apparatus used to retard free fall from an aircraft, consisting of a light, usually hemispherical canopy attached by cords to a harness and worn or stored folded until deployed in descent. 2. Any of various similar unpowered devices that are used for retarding free-speeding or free-falling motion. 3. See patagium. --par·a·chute v. par·a·chut·ed, par·a·chut·ing, par·a·chutes. --tr. 1. To drop (supplies or troops, for example) by means of a parachute. --intr. To descend by means of a parachute. [French : para(sol), parasol; see PARASOL + chute, fall; see CHUTE.] --par”a·chut“ic adj. --par“a·chut”ist or par“a·chut”er n.

"the American system of counting is more... inflated than the original British system, "

Dear tsuwm: I always thought British counting system was more inflated than US system, since their billion was a thousand times our billion.

Dear tsuwm, when I read this, esp. the word you chose, my mind flashed back to WO'N's puppeteers, and all kinds of references and substitutions in your post came to mind! Too tacky to post, but. I'm sure you all can think of some for yourselves!