TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
Subject:Re: Etymological origins of the word 'niggardly' From:lak <lak -at- NEWPOINTTECH -dot- COM> Date:Thu, 29 Apr 1999 09:01:34 -0400
SNIP <I would like to point out that the word 'niggardly' does not have (and
has never
had) the connotations Jamela Jasper ascribes to it.
The word means 'stingy or parsimonious' and is Scandinavian in origin.
If you don't believe me, check your dictionaries.>
you know what though? I am sure that the word trenchcoat was never intended
to have the connotations it does now, either.
It doesn't matter what any dictionary says - unless you plan to issue one
with every use of a
word-that-once-had-innocent-meaning-but -now-can-be-incendiary. Perception
is the thing.
Laurin A. Kinville
Supervisor, Technical Documentation
Newpoint Technologies, Inc.
(formerly C-Grams, Inc.)
13 Red Roof Lane - Salem, NH 03079
Tel. + 1-603-898-1110 Ext. 1213
Fax + 1-603-898-1113
lak -at- newpointtech -dot- com http://www.newpointtech.com