Re: self-aggrandizing ignorant
From: Bob Badour <bbadour_at_pei.sympatico.ca>
Date: Thu, 18 May 2006 02:56:21 GMT
Message-ID: <pnRag.9175$A26.231063_at_ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca>
>
>
> Rather than go with an assumed, missing noun, I'd just say that
> an adjective can function as a noun in the right context. The fact
> that we often pluralize adjectives the way we do nouns when doing
> so backs that up.
>
> "Do you like those colored candies? The reds are my favorite."
>
> Consider also that we use an article in front of an adjective used
> this way.
>
> "You know Sydney Greenstreet? He often used to play the heavy."
>
> I think there's probably something witty a la Safire's "You can
> verb anything" floating around here somewhere.
>
>
> Marshall
>
> PS. Maltese Falcon rules.
Date: Thu, 18 May 2006 02:56:21 GMT
Message-ID: <pnRag.9175$A26.231063_at_ursa-nb00s0.nbnet.nb.ca>
Marshall wrote:
>>Like the subject of the following sentence, the noun is silent.
>
>
> Rather than go with an assumed, missing noun, I'd just say that
> an adjective can function as a noun in the right context. The fact
> that we often pluralize adjectives the way we do nouns when doing
> so backs that up.
>
> "Do you like those colored candies? The reds are my favorite."
>
> Consider also that we use an article in front of an adjective used
> this way.
>
> "You know Sydney Greenstreet? He often used to play the heavy."
>
> I think there's probably something witty a la Safire's "You can
> verb anything" floating around here somewhere.
>
>
> Marshall
>
> PS. Maltese Falcon rules.
What can I say? I am lazy. Doing it your way I would have to think up an example like: "The insignificant ignore substance for nit poop." I liked "Get a life. Buy one if you have to." much better.
In any case, you say to-may-to I say to-mah-to. Let's call the whole thing off. Received on Thu May 18 2006 - 04:56:21 CEST