Grammar Police was Re: coolant overflow res.

[rapieper@yahoo.com (Cheapass Ron)]

--- Kevin Collins <kcollins1@socal.rr.com> wrote:
> 
> By its very definition, something that is "unique" is just that
> - it can't be "very unique" (a VERY abused term in the media,
> who should know better), "relatively unique", etc. If something
> is unique, it's one of a kind, period.


Bzzzzzzztt!  Wrong.

The word unique can be used with adjectives to determine a degree of
uniqueness.  Same with similar.  Different, though, than perfect, which
cannot be modified.

This from Merriam-Websters, used without permission (if you're bored
you can skip to the last few sentences):

1 : being the only one : SOLE <his unique concern was his own comfort>
<I can't walk away with a unique copy. Suppose I lost it? -- Kingsley
Amis> <the unique factorization of a number into prime factors>
2 a : being without a like or equal : UNEQUALED <could stare at the
flames, each one new, violent, unique -- Robert Coover> b :
distinctively characteristic : PECULIAR 1 <this is not a condition
unique to California -- Ronald Reagan>

Many commentators have objected to the comparison or modification (as
by somewhat or very) of unique; the statement that a thing is either
unique or it is not has often been repeated by them. Objections are
based chiefly on the assumption that unique has but a single absolute
sense, an assumption contradicted by information readily available in a
dictionary. Unique dates back to the 17th century but was little used
until the end of the 18th when, according to the Oxford English
Dictionary, it was reacquired from French. H. J. Todd entered it as a
foreign word in his edition (1818) of Johnson's Dictionary,
characterizing it as "affected and useless." Around the middle of the
19th century it ceased to be considered foreign and came into
considerable popular use. With popular use came a broadening of
application beyond the original two meanings (here numbered 1 and 2a).
In modern use both comparison and modification are widespread and
standard but are confined to the extended senses 2b and 3. When sense 1
or sense 2a is intended, unique is used without qualifying modifiers.  
----------
8P

=====
Cheapass Ron
"Victor" '87 16V Scirocco
"Teufelhasen" '93 Cabby <-For sale

If it ain't foggy, TURN OFF YOUR FOG LIGHTS.

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