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#64910 04/10/02 05:17 PM
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JessCC Offline OP
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I have this quiz that requires either an in-depth knowledge of the English language OR a great internet surfer which I'm not! Anyway, here's the definition of the word I'm searching for :

someone who always obeys the rules of his/her job exactly, even when it would be more sensible not to, is called a ________ (9 letters)

Can anyone help me? Thanks!


#64911 04/10/02 05:46 PM
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(9 letters)

Got any of them?

And what are the cross words?


#64912 04/10/02 05:53 PM
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Dear JessCC: a tactic that sometimes ;helps me is to make a list of the near-misses:
conformist
bootlicker
toadie
yes man
sycophant


#64913 04/10/02 05:55 PM
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I was sure that he was gonna be myrmidon, but I just recounted and he's only got eight (8) letters.

:)

but as long as we're wandering off on the brown-nose tangent, here are a couple of really archaic words: pickthank, toadeater

#64914 04/10/02 06:04 PM
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in a union, its called "work to rules"-- which is too many letters.. its also called "by the book"... hey that's 9 letters...it means to work by rule book..

unions work to rules or by the book to effect work slow downs.


#64915 04/10/02 06:13 PM
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Formalist, although I prefer to use 'pedant.'


k



#64916 04/10/02 07:41 PM
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here are a couple of really archaic words: pickthank, toadeater

Well, thank you Michael! I've been using "toadeater" ever since I read it in a Regency-period book yonks ago, and no one is ever in any doubt about precisely what it means ...



The idiot also known as Capfka ...
#64917 04/10/02 10:47 PM
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obeys the rules exactly, even when it would be more sensible not to

"Bureaucrat," unfortunately, has ten letters; I like it otherwise.

Are you sure this isn't one of those "How do you keep a turkey" (or other unflattering designation) "in suspense?" questions?

Edit: How about "automaton"? That'll do nicely. But it needs to have an (n) in the question:
"...is called a(n) _____________"


#64918 04/10/02 11:00 PM
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Gosh, I thought Wolfaholic had it, but after checking MW, I dunno...not specific enough. Here 'tis:

Main Entry: au·tom·a·ton
Pronunciation: o-'tä-m&-t&n, -m&-"tän
Function: noun
Inflected Form(s): plural -atons or au·tom·a·ta /-m&-t&, -m&-"tä/
Etymology: Latin, from Greek, neuter of automatos
Date: 1645
1 : a mechanism that is relatively self-operating; especially : ROBOT
2 : a machine or control mechanism designed to follow automatically a predetermined sequence of operations or respond to encoded instructions
3 : an individual who acts in a mechanical fashion


Befuddled regards,
WordWebster's


#64919 04/10/02 11:08 PM
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Agreed, it's not perfect in denotation, but does come pretty close in connotation.

At least we're gettng warmer :-)


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