Roderick Stewart <rjfs@escapetime.myzen.co.uk> wrote:
> On Tue, 5 Oct 2021 06:36:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed
> <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>>> Can you be electrocuted and survive?
>>
>> Yes.
>> Definition: : to kill or severely injure by electric shock
>>>
>>> Some people do write rubbish.
>>>
>> They do indeed.
>
> Curious. My edition of the OED (on CDROM V2) puts it like this-
>
> [begin quote]
> 1. Put to death by a strong electric current as a means of capital
> punishment. L19.
>
> 2. Cause death of by electric shock. E20.
>
> • electro"cution noun execution by electricity; death caused by
> electricity: L19.
> [end quote]
>
> If yours is more recent, they must have downgraded it. I suppose the
> OED has abolished the death penalty.
>
> Rod.
>

For the English language dictionaries do not lay down the law, but rather
describe use. If over the years the common use of electrocute includes
serious injury then the definition in dictionary changes.

I’ve just logged into the OED site and one of their definitions is

2. transitive. To give an electric shock to; esp. (chiefly reflexive or in
passive) to kill or injure by electric shock.

You need a new CD ROM :)

You would literally hate one of the new definitions of literally:

Used to indicate that some (frequently conventional) metaphorical or
hyperbolical expression is to be taken in the strongest admissible sense:
‘virtually, as good as’; (also) ‘completely, utterly, absolutely’.
Now one of the most common uses, although often considered irregular in
standard English since it reverses the original sense of literally (‘not
figuratively or metaphorically’).

A quoted example of use:

OMG, I literally died when I found out!’ No, you figuratively died.
Otherwise, you would not be around to relay your pointless anecdote.

On 05/10/2021 10:15, Tweed wrote:
<snip>
> You would literally hate one of the new definitions of literally:
>
> Used to indicate that some (frequently conventional) metaphorical or
> hyperbolical expression is to be taken in the strongest admissible sense:
> ‘virtually, as good as’; (also) ‘completely, utterly, absolutely’.
> Now one of the most common uses, although often considered irregular in
> standard English since it reverses the original sense of literally (‘not
> figuratively or metaphorically’).
>

the OED also makes clear it is not a *new* usage, starting with this
example from 1769:

"He is a fortunate man to be introduced to such a party of fine women at
his arrival; it is literally to feed among the lilies."

--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

On 05/10/2021 09:46, Roderick Stewart wrote:
> If yours is more recent, they must have downgraded it. I suppose the
> OED has abolished the death penalty.

---

The online OED (presumably latest) has two meanings.

1. Execution by means of a powerful electric current; an instance of this.
2. Death or injury caused by electric shock.

---

The meanings of words change over time and they have probably just
accepted that many use the words to mean having had an electric shock
rather than killed by it.

On 05/10/2021 10:08, Robin wrote:
> "The Oxford English Dictionary is not an arbiter of proper usage,
> despite its widespread reputation to the contrary. The Dictionary is
> intended to be descriptive, not prescriptive. In other words, its
> content should be viewed as an objective reflection of English language
> usage, not a subjective collection of usage ‘dos’ and ‘don'ts’."

Anyone can send in suggestions to them if they believe their definition
is wrong.

On 05/10/2021 10:02, Jeff Layman wrote:
> On 05/10/2021 09:46, Roderick Stewart wrote:
>> On Tue, 5 Oct 2021 06:36:54 -0000 (UTC), Tweed
>> <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>>> Can you be electrocuted and survive?
>>>
>>> Yes.
>>> Definition: : to kill or severely injure by electric shock
>>>>
>>>> Some people do write rubbish.
>>>>
>>> They do indeed.
>>
>> Curious. My edition of the OED (on CDROM V2) puts it like this-
>>
>> [begin quote]
>>   1. Put to death by a strong electric current as a means of capital
>> punishment. L19.
>>
>>   2. Cause death of by electric shock. E20.
>>
>> • electro"cution noun execution by electricity; death caused by
>> electricity: L19.
>> [end quote]
>>
>> If yours is more recent, they must have downgraded it. I suppose the
>> OED has abolished the death penalty.
>
> I think that it's just another of those words which has changed in
> meaning over the years. I see that its derivation is "electro" and
> "execution". I can't see any doubt over what that entails. But note that
> the original meaning was an active form - to put to death by electricity.

Well "execution" doesn't really mean putting to death, just carrying out
an instruction.

--
Max Demian

On Tue, 5 Oct 2021 09:15:13 -0000 (UTC), Tweed
<usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:

>I’ve just logged into the OED site and one of their definitions is
>
> 2. transitive. To give an electric shock to; esp. (chiefly reflexive or in
>passive) to kill or injure by electric shock.
>
>You need a new CD ROM :)

If only they still did them, but I don't think they do. As far as I'm
aware you wither have to buy a physical book version (and I have
several of these already) or subscribe to an online account to which
you only have access as long as you keep paying. If it's still
possible to buy an electronic version that I can pay for once and then
own (like anything else) I'd be interested to know the details.

Rod.

Roderick Stewart wrote:

> As far as I'm aware you wither have to buy a physical book version (and I
> have several of these already) or subscribe to an online account

Or use your library's subscription ...

On 05/10/2021 17:52, Roderick Stewart wrote:
> On Tue, 5 Oct 2021 09:15:13 -0000 (UTC), Tweed
> <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>
>> I’ve just logged into the OED site and one of their definitions is
>>
>> 2. transitive. To give an electric shock to; esp. (chiefly reflexive or in
>> passive) to kill or injure by electric shock.
>>
>> You need a new CD ROM :)
>
> If only they still did them, but I don't think they do. As far as I'm
> aware you wither have to buy a physical book version (and I have
> several of these already) or subscribe to an online account to which
> you only have access as long as you keep paying. If it's still
> possible to buy an electronic version that I can pay for once and then
> own (like anything else) I'd be interested to know the details.
>

Membership of a fair few public libraries allows online access to the
OED free of charge. IMHO it's one of the internet's best rabbit holes.

--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

Roderick Stewart <rjfs@escapetime.myzen.co.uk> wrote:

> On Tue, 5 Oct 2021 09:15:13 -0000 (UTC), Tweed
> <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> >I've just logged into the OED site and one of their definitions is
> >
> > 2. transitive. To give an electric shock to; esp. (chiefly reflexive or in
> >passive) to kill or injure by electric shock.
> >
> >You need a new CD ROM :)
>
> If only they still did them, but I don't think they do. As far as I'm
> aware you wither have to buy a physical book version (and I have
> several of these already) or subscribe to an online account to which
> you only have access as long as you keep paying. If it's still
> possible to buy an electronic version that I can pay for once and then
> own (like anything else) I'd be interested to know the details.
>
> Rod.

You may find online access to the OED is available via your
local library if you have a library membership. I think other
works of reference are available that way, too.

--
^Ï^ <https://youtu.be/_kqytf31a8E>

My pet rock Gordon just is.

On Tue, 5 Oct 2021 18:40:28 +0100, snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) wrote:

>Roderick Stewart <rjfs@escapetime.myzen.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> On Tue, 5 Oct 2021 09:15:13 -0000 (UTC), Tweed
>> <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>> >I've just logged into the OED site and one of their definitions is
>> >
>> > 2. transitive. To give an electric shock to; esp. (chiefly reflexive or in
>> >passive) to kill or injure by electric shock.
>> >
>> >You need a new CD ROM :)
>>
>> If only they still did them, but I don't think they do. As far as I'm
>> aware you wither have to buy a physical book version (and I have
>> several of these already) or subscribe to an online account to which
>> you only have access as long as you keep paying. If it's still
>> possible to buy an electronic version that I can pay for once and then
>> own (like anything else) I'd be interested to know the details.
>>
>> Rod.
>
>You may find online access to the OED is available via your
>local library if you have a library membership. I think other
>works of reference are available that way, too.

That's certainly worth investigating. Now to find a library that's
still open...

Rod.

Roderick Stewart <rjfs@escapetime.myzen.co.uk> wrote:
> On Tue, 5 Oct 2021 18:40:28 +0100, snipeco.2@gmail.com (Sn!pe) wrote:
>
>> Roderick Stewart <rjfs@escapetime.myzen.co.uk> wrote:
>>
>>> On Tue, 5 Oct 2021 09:15:13 -0000 (UTC), Tweed
>>> <usenet.tweed@gmail.com> wrote:
>>>
>>>> I've just logged into the OED site and one of their definitions is
>>>>
>>>> 2. transitive. To give an electric shock to; esp. (chiefly reflexive or in
>>>> passive) to kill or injure by electric shock.
>>>>
>>>> You need a new CD ROM :)
>>>
>>> If only they still did them, but I don't think they do. As far as I'm
>>> aware you wither have to buy a physical book version (and I have
>>> several of these already) or subscribe to an online account to which
>>> you only have access as long as you keep paying. If it's still
>>> possible to buy an electronic version that I can pay for once and then
>>> own (like anything else) I'd be interested to know the details.
>>>
>>> Rod.
>>
>> You may find online access to the OED is available via your
>> local library if you have a library membership. I think other
>> works of reference are available that way, too.
>
> That's certainly worth investigating. Now to find a library that's
> still open...
>
> Rod.
>

No need to bother. In most places you can join online and use many of their
electronic subscription services for the comfort of your armchair.

Roderick Stewart wrote:

> Sn!pe wrote:
>
>> You may find online access to the OED is available via your
>> local library
>
> That's certainly worth investigating. Now to find a library that's
> still open...

Manchester allow anyone to join online regardless of location, and give you
access to various reference works.

On 06/10/2021 09:29, Tweed wrote:
>> That's certainly worth investigating. Now to find a library that's
>> still open...
>>
>> Rod.
>>
> No need to bother. In most places you can join online and use many of their
> electronic subscription services for the comfort of your armchair.
>

You can usually sign up to the library if you do not have library
membership. There are also many libraries that accept membership from
outside their own area which can be useful because some sources will be
available on one library but not others.

If you are in Scotland then the NLS have a very wide range of sources
online. The NLW have Welsh newspapers archive up to WWI, not sure what
more general reference sources they have.

Incidentally there are quite a number of foreign newspaper archives online.

On 06/10/2021 13:04, Andy Burns wrote:
> Manchester allow anyone to join online regardless of location, and give you
> access to various reference works.

They have the Guardian archive so you can look up their campaign against
the abolishing of slavery from before they became woke!