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OP this is a two-part query:
first, why is the grease that folks sometimes use to make pancakes, cakes and such called "shortening"? wouldn't it be more descriptive to call it "widening"? ;-)
secondly, is shortening still a gerund even though it's a tangible thing (aren't most gerunds simply descriptions of verbs, eg swimming, running, eating, etc?)?
it seems there are several cooking-related terms that follow this unusual gerund format, such as seasoning, leavening, and... um, i'm sure there are more, but i can't think of any. i mean, i do understand that (for example) seasoning is a gerund of the infinitive 'to season', but it's more than simply the description of the process; it's an actual substance. would that be like a concrete gerund or something?
Entire Thread Subject Posted By Posted shortening guest 08/27/03 03:05 PM Re: shortening Faldage 08/27/03 03:11 PM Re: shortening guest 08/27/03 04:53 PM Re: shortening Faldage 08/27/03 04:58 PM Re: shortening guest 08/27/03 05:04 PM Re: shortening Faldage 08/27/03 05:13 PM Re: shortening of troy 08/27/03 05:43 PM Re: shortening wwh 08/27/03 06:02 PM Re: shortening of troy 08/27/03 07:16 PM Re: shortening Zed 08/27/03 07:24 PM Re: shortening Faldage 08/27/03 07:28 PM Re: shortening Zed 08/27/03 07:35 PM Is it me? AnnaStrophic 08/27/03 07:56 PM Re: Is it me? of troy 08/27/03 08:11 PM Re: shortening Zed 08/27/03 07:10 PM Re: shortening Faldage 08/27/03 07:19 PM Re: shortening Bobyoungbalt 09/03/03 02:01 AM Re: shortening of troy 08/27/03 07:35 PM
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