[lbo-talk] Re: Numero-language

[Tim Francis-Wright]

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