[Dixonary] Round 2002: FOMA [Choice of Dictionary]

[Dodi Schultz]

Paul, it's more accurately MW2 and MW3, not just "W"--since "Webster's" (to
my annoyance) has for years been used by others who weren't Noah's
publisher, including the otherwise respectable Random House work.

--Dodi

[Paul Keating]

I know that it's Merriam-Webster, and I also know that any American
dictionary can call itself Webster owing to the parlous state of US
intellectual property law in the 19th century. (To be fair, other countries'
laws were only slightly better.)

My copy of W3 says on its title page "Webster's Third New International
Dictionary". The phrase "a Merriam-Webster" appears only as a subtitle. In
speech we call it "Webster's Third". W3 cites both W1 and W2 as "Webster's
New International Dictionary". Again, no M.

We all know what I mean, that's what it says in the title, and so I'll stick
with plain W. It's a symbol, not a trademark. It doesn't have to be
accurate, just unambiguous. I'll also refer to the 1928 edition of the OED
as OED1. That isn't really accurate either but everyone knows what I mean.

--
Paul Keating
The Hague

----- Original Message -----
From: "Dodi Schultz" <SCHULTZ (AT) compuserve (DOT) com>
Sent: Tuesday, May 12, 2009 12:00 AM

Paul, it's more accurately MW2 and MW3, not just "W"--since "Webster's" (to
my annoyance) has for years been used by others who weren't Noah's
publisher, including the otherwise respectable Random House work.

--Dodi