On Sun, 19 Dec 2021, at 20:18, Paul Gilmartin wrote: > On Sun, 19 Dec 2021 20:05:01 +0000, Jeremy Nicoll wrote: >> >>> The previous ply ... >> >>Every time I see this use of "ply" I think it's weird. It seems a >> sort of back-formation from "reply". >> > No. See: <https://www.etymonline.com/word/reply>
I don't see any justification there for the use of the noun "ply" to mean something in a prior part of a discussion. Nor at https://www.etymonline.com/word/ply >>It's not, as far as I know, valid in UK English. Is it valid anywhere >>else? >> > <https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/ply> > ply noun > plural plies > Definition of ply (Entry 2 of 3) > 1a : one of several layers (as of cloth) usually sewn or laminated > together I'm not quibbling that use of "ply", (a layer of cloth, wood, a thread in eg wool or twine)... I again don't see any justification for your use, which - even if it's reasonable in an archaic fashion - is very odd in modern use, especially on an IT mail-list. Do you not think this might be hard for people whose first language is neither contemporary English nor anything mediaeval to understand? -- Jeremy Nicoll - my opinions are my own. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- For IBM-MAIN subscribe / signoff / archive access instructions, send email to [email protected] with the message: INFO IBM-MAIN
