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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Mencken really goofed on this topic. He gives US "typewriter (operator)" as equivalent of UK "typist".
I have never heard "typewriter" used to mean the operator thereof. It is given as second meaning in Webster 1913.
Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
Typewriter \Type"writ`er\, n.
1. An instrument for writing by means of type, a typewheel,
or the like, in which the operator makes use of a sort of
keyboard, in order to obtain printed impressions of the
characters upon paper.
2. One who uses such an instrument.
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Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 5,400 |
Mr Bellamy, the head of household in Upstairs/Downstairs--the wonderful period soap opera that was presented on PBS many years ago, hired a typewriter to help him with his memoirs after Lady Bellamy goes down with the titanic.
it might not be current usage to call a typist a typewriter, but i have heard of it! (and as i recall, alistare cooke, in his intro commented on the use of the word, pointing out the different cross pond usage of the word, (so he knew it)--it was clear that the typewriter was the young woman who opperated the new typesetting machine.
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