[lbo-talk] Re: numero-language

frank scott frank at marin.cc.ca.us
Mon Mar 28 11:57:05 PST 2005


"A not inconsiderable number..."

is that greater than , or less than, a considerable number?

seriously, wonder why so many use negative qualifiers, and more words, in describing a number...

shyness? stylistic? why not "many" instead of "more than a few", and so on?

is this related to the current trend, which seems to prefer decades to years, as in the truly ridiculous "half a decade", which i've read and heard (even on st. amy) frequently...or, "more than a few times", lately...

doesn't five years sound long enough? too long? not important enough? lacking syllables?

a numerous number wonder why...

fs



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