[BITList] What's in your garden shed

[John Feltham]

G'day David,

On 25/01/2009, at 11:52 AM, David Harvey wrote:

 > I wrote my first letter to the Sydney Morning Herald at age 15, how  
about you?

Mine would have been around 1986 to The Townsville Bulletin. But I  
stopped around 2003 when the Editor's 'dragon' told me on the phone  
that my letter was not 'understandable'. I got written proof from the  
Head of Department of English from three local High Schools that my  
writing was 'understandable' - she didn't publish so I stopped wriiting

 > And what's wrong with plane, as long as it is spelt 'plane, being  
the shortened form of aeroplane, whereas
 > a craft is a water borne means of transport. I always use the word  
'plane, never aircraft, next you'll be
 > wanting me to spell Mum as Mom.

You weren't serving in the RAF, where it was drilled into us that the  
RAF had aircraft and not planes - just as you would have been drilled  
that it wasn't the ceiling but the deck-head?

Are you saying that the word aircraft is incorrect usage? An aircraft  
is a vehicle which is able to fly through the air (or the atmosphere  
of a planet). Objects which are not supported by the air, such as most  
rockets and missiles, are not aircraft.

And, Mike and I called our mother 'Mam' as did every other child in  
Colne, Lancs. :-)

Might I suggest some light reading for you?

Try Julian Burnside's - "Word Watching" - from any Angus & Robertson  
or Dymocks.

Mike bought it for me before he left.


ooroo

If you don't hear the knock of opportunity - build a door.

Anon.



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