In article <2dee9a3d538d254713423eb23c362200@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
>, Enron
Hubbard <enron@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
> "Peter T. Daniels" <grammatim@[EMAIL PROTECTED]
> wrote:
>
> > This is a question for conlangers ("constructed language" hobbyists).
>
> Is that supposed to be derogatory?
The word "conlang" was hastily coined back in the early 90s when
someone was creating the first mailing list for constructed language
enthusiasts. He needed a name for the list, 8 characters or less, and
unfortunately he came up with "conlang", which reminds one of "cons"
(convicted criminals) and "con artists" (hoaxers). It is truly an
unfortunate coinage, an ugly word with only negative images built in,
but it will stick around until someone comes up with something better
and equally brief.
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