From: Robert Owen (rowen@technologist.com)
Date: Sat Dec 18 1999 - 01:11:54 MST
Robert Owen wrote:
> Gina Miller wrote:
>
> > The Random House Dictionary of the English Language second edition
> > unabridged 1987 page 1491.
> > Your CHALLENGE is met.
> > Gina "Nanogirl" Miller
>
> As recompense, I will supply you with arguably the shortest word in the English
> Language: "Aa", meaning a sort of cindery lava. I have Helga Williams to thank
> for this one, who also confirms that "antidisestablishmentarianism" with its
> measly 28 letters is no longer Numero Uno, but according to her our new word
> with 45 letters is "the new contender".
>
> Naturally, the word "contender" is not given here as a dodge, but nevertheless
> we must continuue our research as a precaution.
Dear Gina & Zeb,
I have continued my research, and without wishing to detract in any way from
your remarkable lexicographical tour de force, I have encountered a difficulty.
Going to the American Medical Association Web Site and using their Search
Engine, after entering our word I was informed:
"Our basic search for pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis
matched 0 out of 24804 documents."
When I first saw your word, I thought it probably referred to "Coal Workers'
Pneumoconiosis (CWP) otherwise known as "Black Lung Disease" or "Anthra-
cosis". My next search was in "The Merck Manual" where it indicates that
CWP can in about 2% of the cases develop into "Progressive Massive Fibrosis"
or (PMF). But there is no mention whatever in the comprehensive index to
"pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis". I was even further distressed
to find at http://www.ed.uiuc.edu/facstaff that the word is described as
"absurd" in the Guinness book of World Records.
Would you care to comment on these findings,
Bob
=======================
Robert M. Owen
Director
The Orion Institute
57 W. Morgan Street
Brevard, NC 28712-3659 USA
=======================
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