In a message dated 5/14/99 1:05:58 PM Eastern Daylight Time, [log in to unmask]
writes:

> I don't mind if you think that these are "cute" or even "plausible"
>  but I don't think that any of them are historically correct,
>  and I think it is a bad idea to circulate phony stuff and suggest
>  that it might have some basis in truth.

Interesting. Each individual has a different grasp on language, often from a
different perspective. You have to know, or suspect that something is phony
in order to have an intent to be fraudulent. Though I admire etymologic
rigidity to historic derivations, I also see little harm in the vulgar myths
that give depth to our dynamic language. I think these myths are kind of
neat, even if they are not true, mainly for the fact that we might be able to
believe that anyone could think that they are true.

][<en