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Secret rule of academic writings: if the author uses a silly or amusing example, it means she is talking down to her critic.
Case in point: snookums.
"[Devotional and affectional terms] are used to indicate the object of certain affections and loyalties. In this latter case the meaning of the word is what elicits, or should rightfully elicit, these reactions of love and devotion.... [T]he word stands for what elicits a certain attitude. When I call an object 'Beloved,' it may be a person, a home or a land. When I call an object 'snookums' it may be a child or a puppy or a bird."* p402
The fact that I'm laughing now? Just means that out there, the ghost of a critic is writhing once more in discomfort as I find his ideas laughable.
*Henry Nelson Wieman "On Using the Word 'God': A Reply" The Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 30 No. 15 (July 1933) p. 399. (From JSTOR. or ATLA. Not sure.)
Case in point: snookums.
"[Devotional and affectional terms] are used to indicate the object of certain affections and loyalties. In this latter case the meaning of the word is what elicits, or should rightfully elicit, these reactions of love and devotion.... [T]he word stands for what elicits a certain attitude. When I call an object 'Beloved,' it may be a person, a home or a land. When I call an object 'snookums' it may be a child or a puppy or a bird."* p402
The fact that I'm laughing now? Just means that out there, the ghost of a critic is writhing once more in discomfort as I find his ideas laughable.
*Henry Nelson Wieman "On Using the Word 'God': A Reply" The Journal of Philosophy, Vol. 30 No. 15 (July 1933) p. 399. (From JSTOR. or ATLA. Not sure.)
