On Thu, 19 Dec 1996, Thomas R Jefferys wrote:

<snip>

DOC-ITA1.Internet."bastian@enterprise.mathematik.uni-essen.de" :

Akane spat her favorite epititet ("Boys!") and proceeded to  : hit people.
Ranma sat down by the gate and watched with  : interest.

<snip>

American Heritage Dictionary:

	Actually, not all American Heritage dictionaries say that.  The
one I'm using now--the college edition was left at college--only
lists definitions two and three, but not word-for-word. 

	Anyhow, I question the 'fic's use of "epithet" in that
fashion.  It sounds strange to mine ears.  <shrug>  But then
I used to confuse "epithet" and "epitaph" for years...what do
I know?  (I do know the difference between "my" and "mine."
Let's just say I'm using the archaic form.  Anybody know how
to use the term "prolepsis"?  <g>)

ep-i-thet: n. 1. A term to characterize the nature of a person or thing. 2.
An adjective or descriptive phrase that comes to form part of or to
substitute for a person's name or title. 3. An abusive or contemptuous word
or phrase used to describe a person.

Usage three is the one in most common usage, and is the one intended in the
passage.

	<nodding vigorously>  You can imagine the surprise I felt
when we were studying Homer's "Odyssey" in Humanities class and 
we spoke of epithets.  "Rosy-fingered dawn"?  Where's the epithet?
Did you mean epitaph?  But that doesn't make sense.  ^_^

Aren't dictionaries such useful things?

	Yes.  The American Heritage dictionary rocks!

Venkarel
(who will take the opportunity to shout for joy that the FFML
is finally sending her mail--YES!)