<HTML><FONT FACE=arial,helvetica><FONT SIZE=3>In a message dated 2/13/03 9:28:57 AM Central Standard Time, charliehooks@earthlink.net writes:<BR>
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<BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">> To present or disclose unexpectedly or suddenly: "He<BR>
> sprung on the world this novel approach to political journalism" (Curtis<BR>
> Wilkie).<BR>
<BR>
Bill, this usage is sick. Surely you know better than that. Dictionaries<BR>
list usage, not propriety. You can doubtless find listings of "ain't" as<BR>
quite proper usage, since many people "use" the word.<BR>
<BR>
You (and Curtis Wilkie) want to misuse the simple past tense of the verb--<BR>
go ahead! Have fun! But I will know that the usage signals ignorance, not<BR>
superior knowledge. Sometimes willful ignorance.<BR>
<BR>
screw dictionaries and their makers,<BR>
<BR>
Charlie</BLOCKQUOTE><BR>
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Shucks, even I would agree that "he sprung on the world" is ghastly.<BR>
Gad, no civilized person would ever consider this appalling usage.<BR>
Shameful.<BR>
<BR>
JIm Beebe<BR>
<BR>
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