Professor Horn's remark about "muddies attempts...effective meaning"  seems
muddied itself. What is he saying?

  Beyond that, please, all list members, let's keep our discourse elevated
above such vernacular as "bitchslap" -- a term recently used by a
respondent. I can curse or cuss in several languages, and I know Down South
backwoods terms that I use now and then with pals, but this Twain List venue
does not seem an appropriate place for that level of discourse. Of course
this is an informal venue, but why make it coarse? There are too many places
already that trash the language and assault one's soul.

  Whether you agree or disagree with my suggestion, I hope this email does
not result in a thousand responses on the list. Who needs to read them?  If
you want to respond to me personally and save the list members the storm, I
am at [log in to unmask]

  And thanks to all who have contributed substance to our list over the
years. Dbrid47