Re: Display, Displays, or Appears

[Michael West <WestM -at- conwag -dot- com>]

> You're right -- there's no reason the word SHOULD imply a supernatural
> occurrence, but I think there is a logical reason for the connotation.

You need to broaden your reading. Ignorance may be a logical reason, but 
it isn't a good reason. This is like saying that because the word "eat" is 
sometimes used in contexts involving a  Big Bad Wolf,  we shouldn't use it 
to describe what we do to a cheese sandwich. 

> It's because of the way the word "appear" is often used in stories that
> involve magic or the supernatural.

The word "appear" is used far more often in contexts that DO NOT involve 
magic or the supernatural. 

Don't take my word for it. Go to Bartleby.com and search for the word 
"appear." You can search fiction, non-fiction, reference -- whatever it 
takes. 

-- 
Mike West
Melbourne, Australia
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