From mboxrd@z Thu Jan 1 00:00:00 1970 X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.4.4 (2020-01-24) on polar.synack.me X-Spam-Level: ** X-Spam-Status: No, score=2.4 required=5.0 tests=BAYES_40, PP_MIME_FAKE_ASCII_TEXT,REPLYTO_WITHOUT_TO_CC autolearn=no autolearn_force=no version=3.4.4 X-Google-Language: ENGLISH,ASCII X-Google-Thread: 103376,c8086456b887be55 X-Google-Attributes: gid103376,public X-Google-Thread: 11232c,ab67bdd1ff50fd8 X-Google-Attributes: gid11232c,public X-Google-ArrivalTime: 2001-04-30 18:35:21 PST Path: newsfeed.google.com!newsfeed.stanford.edu!sn-xit-01!sn-post-01!supernews.com!corp.supernews.com!not-for-mail From: "Peter Richtmyer" Newsgroups: comp.lang.ada,misc.misc Subject: Weird and way off topic (was Re: Ada, Software Engineering...) Date: Mon, 30 Apr 2001 21:33:53 -0400 Organization: Posted via Supernews, http://www.supernews.com Message-ID: Reply-To: "Peter Richtmyer" References: <92HD6.3345$D4.334091@www.newsranger.com> <200104240531.WAA01552@well.com> <3AE5A34F.B89C8D5F@boeing.com> <3AE9AD0B.79593A@boeing.com> <3AED8BA4.FA51431E@boeing.com> X-Priority: 3 X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-Newsreader: Microsoft Outlook Express 5.00.2919.6600 X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V5.00.2919.6600 X-Complaints-To: newsabuse@supernews.com Xref: newsfeed.google.com comp.lang.ada:7063 misc.misc:2691 Date: 2001-04-30T21:33:53-04:00 List-Id: "Jeffrey Carter" wrote in message news:3AED8BA4.FA51431E@boeing.com... > Ted Dennison wrote: > > > > >You are saying is that Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, > > >Mother Theresa, Frank Sinatra and Michael Jordan. are weirdos. > > >since they are all "significantly different from the norm". :-) > > > > I'd agree with that. The definition fits. The only problem with saying this is > > the negative spin on the word, which is entirely a matter of perspective or > > opinion. But the meaning is dead on. > > Precisely. And it is because people generally associate a negative > connotation with "weird" that I use the word. After all, I'm saying to > 98% of the population that we can do something that they will never be > able to do. Even though this is worshipped in some people, it can still > be a dangerous thing to say. > What you perceive as a "negative spin" on the word "weird" is counter-intuitive based upon the reaction to the Harry Potter series. :-) from www.webster.com (Merriam Webster Collegiate Dictionary): Main Entry: weirdo Function: noun Inflected Form(s): plural weird�os Date: circa 1955 : a person who is extraordinarily strange or eccentric Main Entry: weird Function: adjective Date: 15th century 1 : of, relating to, or caused by witchcraft or the supernatural : MAGICAL 2 : of strange or extraordinary character : ODD, FANTASTIC - weird�ly adverb - weird�ness noun synonyms WEIRD, EERIE, UNCANNY mean mysteriously strange or fantastic. WEIRD may imply an unearthly or supernatural strangeness or it may stress queerness or oddness . EERIE suggests an uneasy or fearful consciousness that mysterious and malign powers are at work . UNCANNY implies disquieting strangeness or mysteriousness . As I continue on looking at "strange" and "eccentric" definitions, I do not change my mind. I say again: Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, Mother Theresa, Frank Sinatra and Michael Jordan. are not weirdos *to me*. Based upon your definition ("significantly different from the norm"), , if most people in a set were "weirdos", then they would not be weirdos. I think the definition goes a lot deeper than just normative. However, we have been mixed "weird" and "weirdos", and they are not the same. Your case is a bit better for weirdos than weird. And I certainly respect your right to have that weird idea :-) Peter