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citations from the OED; the 2nd I assume to mean that the word was given definition therein:
1741 Shenstone Let. xxii. Wks. 1777 III. 49, I loved him for nothing so much as his flocci-nauci-nihili-pili-fication of money. 1816 Southey in Q. Rev. XIV. 334. 1829 Scott Jrnl. 18 Mar., They must be taken with an air of contempt, a floccipaucinihilipilification [sic, here and in two other places] of all that can gratify the outward man.
the sic annotation I take to mean that Scott used the word incorrectly in the same journal 3 times -- it being judged incorrect because of the etymology of the word: flocci, nauci, nihili, pili - words signifying ‘at a small price’ or ‘at nothing’ enumerated in a well-known rule of the Eton Latin Grammar + -fication.
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted A thread of no importance shanks 10/12/00 08:51 AM Re: A thread of no importance jmh 10/12/00 09:08 AM Re: A thread of no importance shanks 10/12/00 09:39 AM Re: A thread of no importance tsuwm 10/12/00 02:05 PM Re: A thread of no importance tsuwm 10/12/00 09:49 PM Re: A thread of no importance maverick 10/13/00 12:03 PM Re: A thread of no importance jmh 10/13/00 12:08 PM Re: floccinaucinihilipilification belMarduk 10/12/00 05:19 PM Re: A thread of no importance Marty 10/12/00 08:26 PM
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