"When I use a word," Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, "it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less."
"The question is," said Alice, "whether you can make words mean so many different things."
"The question is," said Humpty Dumpty, "which is to be master - - that's all."
--Lewis Carroll,Through the Looking Glass
Either Carroll was prescient and a prophet, or things have not changed all that much since his day. You heard what I said, but I think you don't realize that what you heard is not what I meant.
4 comments:
And exactly what did you mean? At one time in my life I memorized "Jabberwocky" from that book. Why? Don't know!
There is so much in those books. I love 'em. They sure don't write books like that for children any more.
I love children's books that aren't "dumbed down" for kids. I think there are lots of great kid book writers who get that.
Vee: 'Twas brillig and the slithy tove...
Sharkbytes: Dodgson/Carroll was a brilliant man and a fantastic writer. 'Fantastic.'
Lin: "Kids' books, indeed. Some of my favorites to this day include Carroll's, Madeleine L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time, Twain's Tom Sawyer, of course, and I could go on.
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