My brother has a car, its a Honda Edix. However, as I search the dictionary, the word Edix does not exist. Therefore, he's driving to work daily in a non-existent car. How he wishes his road tax were non-existent too.
Quite simply, you have got it on backwards. I refer you back to your first post in this thread;
fattyboonboon said:
My stand is: the word does not exist, and since it does not exist, logically it cannot possibly mean anything.
For a stated opponent of urban legends, you seem to be pretty indulgent of leaps of logic yourself.
In your text following that statement above, you proceed to make a case that a word cannot exist and possesses no meaning until it is found in a dictionary. Am I right in this interpretation, or do you agree that a 'word' CAN EXIST and have meaning OUTSIDE the auspices of an official English language dictionary? If the former, then read on, if the latter, then stop here, we are done.......
Reading on? Ok. Ask yourself, how does a new word get incorporated into an official dictionary? Here is an excerpt;
How does a word get into a Merriam-Webster dictionary?
This is one of the questions Merriam-Webster editors are most often asked.
The answer is simple: usage.
Tracking word usage
To decide which words to include in the dictionary and to determine what they mean, Merriam-Webster editors study the language as it's used. They carefully monitor which words people use most often and how they use them.
Each day most Merriam-Webster editors devote an hour or two to reading a cross section of published material, including books, newspapers, magazines, and electronic publications; in our office this activity is called "reading and marking." The editors scour the texts in search of new words, new usages of existing words, variant spellings, and inflected forms—in short, anything that might help in deciding if a word belongs in the dictionary, understanding what it means, and determining typical usage. Any word of interest is marked, along with surrounding context that offers insight into its form and use.
Citations
The marked passages are then input into a computer system and stored both in machine-readable form and on 3" x 5" slips of paper to create citations.
Each citation has the following elements:
the word itself
an example of the word used in context
bibliographic information about the source from which the word and example were taken
The link itself is easily searchable so help yourself. In other words (no pun intended), a word has to be USED (i.e. exists and has meaning)
BEFORE it can get into a dictionary, NOT VICE-VERSA. The meaning of the word is created PRIOR to entering a dictionary, NOT AFTER. The editors will help finesse the definition of course, before it is included. How can it ever be otherwise? Has a word ever been created out of nowhere by edict from a committee of dictionary editors and imposed upon an unsuspecting populace along with its artificially created meaning? Absurdity at its height, no?
Speaking of definitions, let me bring you back to your first post;
fattyboonboon said:
My stand is: the word does not exist, and since it does not exist, logically it cannot possibly mean anything.
One wonders how on earth you made such a determination. Did an English language professor tell you so? Or did you long experience in learning the language and your steepness in the scientific method cause you to have such confidence that you could bandy around illogic without so much as blinking?
What exactly is the definition of 'word'? A quick search reveals;
1. a unit of language, consisting of one or more spoken sounds or their written representation, that functions as a principal carrier of meaning. Words are composed of one or more morphemes and are either the smallest units susceptible of independent use or consist of two or three such units combined under certain linking conditions, as with the loss of primary accent that distinguishes blackʹbirdʹ from blackʹ birdʹ. Words are usually separated by spaces in writing, and are distinguished phonologically, as by accent, in many languages.
2. words, a. speech or talk: to express one's emotion in words; Words mean little when action is called for.
b. the text or lyrics of a song as distinguished from the music.
c. contentious or angry speech; a quarrel: We had words and she walked out on me.
3. a short talk or conversation: Marston, I'd like a word with you.
4. an expression or utterance: a word of warning.
5. warrant, assurance, or promise: I give you my word I'll be there.
6. news; tidings; information: We received word of his death.
7. a verbal signal, as a password, watchword, or countersign
This is just a sample. No where have I found a definition for 'word' that requires it to be part of an official dictionary before it can be accepted as a word. Once again, you've got it 'backwords'. Once again, I say, a word and its associated meaning exists before it gets into the dictionaries, not after.
You do not accept the 'c' word? Well, I don't accept your definition of 'Word', and here it is very clear, you are wrong!
What have we established so far;
1) The 'c' word can not be found in official dictionaries ---
TRUE
2) The 'c' word can easily be found being used in a certain industry ---
TRUE
3) The first bone of contention: A word cannot exist and cannot have meaning unless it can be found in an official dictionary --- As other posters and I have amply demonstrated, this is
TOTALLY FALSE
4) The next bone of contention: The use of the 'c' word has not transcended beyond that certain industry --- Read on
Well, the word was used as a title in a post, in a 'non-industry' forum, and yet many forumers, presumably mostly who have nothing to do with the industry, reacted. So, there goes your theory.
So beyond showing that the word is not in a dictionary, you have done absolutely nothing else to support your case. The flaws in logic are all yours. The funny thing is, by reacting and debating this, you yourself give legitimacy to its meaning. As I had outlined in my previous post, you already have a reaction to this word, i.e. you recognise its negative connotations.
Truth be said, it is totally irrelevant whether or not you publicly accept it or not. Its there, its being used, and its being recognised, and beyond the limited industry for which you claim it belongs to. Give it a rest already.