[lbo-talk] Re: Numero-language

Tim Francis-Wright twright at ziplink.net
Mon Mar 28 19:03:57 PST 2005


Frank Scott wrote:
> "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?
>
Or rhetorical--litotes is my favorite form of understatement. And don't get me started about the dearth of aposiopesis on--but that's another story.

--tim francis-wright [ring ring ring ring]"Maybe it is TWO postmen!"--Grover, Sesame Street



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