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#83702
10/17/2002 7:18 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
My dictionary gives as definition of a separate word, the Latin "pace", the ablative of "oax".
It is used to indicate polite disagreement, as in:
"A good example of this process is the widespread adoption of---pace the House
of Lords--- "gay" usage." (in reference to previously mentioned complaint by a member of the
House of Lords that poets could no longer use the word "gay" in its old sense)
My dictionary says that "pace" is a preposition. Please, someone whose command of grammar
is greater than mine, explain how it is a preposition.
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#83703
10/18/2002 6:10 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204 |
A preposition introduces a noun or nounal phrase. Pace, in the example you give, Bill, introduces the House of Lords (as if the antediluvian muggers pardon the cross threading :-)) need any introduction!!!) in that sentence. It is, therefore, playing the part of a preposition just as much as if you had said in or at the House of Lords.
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#83704
10/18/2002 6:49 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear RC: I had my nose too close to the grindstone, and failed to think of literal meaning
of "preposition. But I think the use of the word in this instance a bit inkhorn, almost a
sneer, being addressed to the House of Lords, when an opinion of only one member
was considered.
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#83705
10/18/2002 7:16 PM
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Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 2,204 |
Yep - I think you're dead right on that. The use of pace in the case quoted is practically an insult! Except that it's almost impossible to insult the House of Lords 
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#83706
10/18/2002 8:13 PM
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Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 13,858 |
Dear RC: Peace be unto the House of Lords. In fact, peeees all over them.
However I also resent the misuse of a fine word to describe a foul faction.
I had friends who formed a club in the forties called "The GaY Fifties"
because they were all a bit over fifty years old.
They found themselves in a few years ridiculed by teenagers.
And I knew several families named Gay who must have resented the change.
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#83707
10/18/2002 9:53 PM
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Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 3,146 |
Except that it's almost impossible to insult the House of Lords
Almost?
The idiot also known as Capfka ...
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