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    Who said, "English is a language that lurks in dark alleys, beats up other languages and rifles through their pockets for spare vocabulary"?

    Question #41640. Asked by griffinj. (Nov 26 03 4:48 PM)


    ngshake

    The correct, complete quote appears to be:

    "The problem with defending the purity of the English language is that English is about as pure as a cribhouse whore. We don’t just borrow words; on occasion, English has pursued other languages down alleyways to beat them unconscious and rifle their pockets for new vocabulary."
    --James D. Nicoll

    See, for example,
    http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/James_Nicoll

    Jun 27 06, 11:43 AM


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