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#1 2008-09-23 10:31:57
- JaneFairfax
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- Registered: 2007-02-23
- Posts: 6,868
I spotted a mistake in John Wyndhams novel
Ive just started reading John Wyndhams posthumous novel Web. The first chapter contains this sentence:
The State, now so pervasive, tends to abrogate to itself even the function of benefactor.
But the word abrogate doesnt make sense in the sentence. The author clearly meant to use the word arrogate instead! 
The verb to arrogate means to claim in an unjustified or dubious manner, whereas to abrogate means to annul or cancel.
Im very good at spotting mistakes like this in peoples writings. 
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#2 2008-09-23 11:41:21
- MathsIsFun
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- Registered: 2005-01-21
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Re: I spotted a mistake in John Wyndhams novel
Yes, abrogate is a negative thing, so it sounds like the State is NOT being a benefactor.
"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..." - Leon M. Lederman
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#3 2008-09-24 07:01:27
- mathsyperson
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- Registered: 2005-06-22
- Posts: 4,900
Re: I spotted a mistake in John Wyndhams novel
I was tempted to change your post to include a 'mistake'. Posthumorous or annual maybe.
But then I decided that'd probably be like irresponsible or something. 
Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.
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#4 2008-09-24 16:46:27
- Tigeree
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- Registered: 2005-11-19
- Posts: 13,883
Re: I spotted a mistake in John Wyndhams novel
I've spotted several mistakes in a book I once read. It was by Adam Roberts whoever he is.....
People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.
~ Anton Chekhov
Cheer up, emo kid.
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#5 2008-09-25 07:06:58
- integer
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- Registered: 2008-02-21
- Posts: 79
Re: I spotted a mistake in John Wyndhams novel
JaneFairfax I am enarmored of your talents.
I spotted a mistake in John Wyndhams novel
There are many who would have phrased it:
John Wyndham made a mistake in his novel
I have not read enough of Wyndham's novels to make a judgement about his style or use of words. I have seen a lot of errors by editors, proof readers imposing their ideas of what is right. My thoughts are that Wyndham used arrogate but a proofreader fixed it to
abrogate.
Keep up the good work.
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#6 2008-09-25 10:54:59
- mathsyperson
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- Registered: 2005-06-22
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Re: I spotted a mistake in John Wyndhams novel
[Jane had a post above me pointing out integer's mistake(?)]
I saw that too, but thought he was probably being ionic.
Why did the vector cross the road?
It wanted to be normal.
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#7 2008-09-25 22:53:33
- Identity
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- Registered: 2007-04-18
- Posts: 934
Re: I spotted a mistake in John Wyndhams novel
I am enarmored of your talents.
I've spotted a frightfull mistake.
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#8 2008-09-25 23:06:38
- MathsIsFun
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- Registered: 2005-01-21
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Re: I spotted a mistake in John Wyndhams novel
Personally I am apalled.
"The physicists defer only to mathematicians, and the mathematicians defer only to God ..." - Leon M. Lederman
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#9 2008-09-26 15:58:30
- Tigeree
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- Registered: 2005-11-19
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Re: I spotted a mistake in John Wyndhams novel
As am I.
People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.
~ Anton Chekhov
Cheer up, emo kid.
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#10 2008-09-29 17:59:31
- Sonic the hedgehog
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- Registered: 2008-09-03
- Posts: 52
Re: I spotted a mistake in John Wyndhams novel
If you have SPORE,in the manual thay spellet Test Drive Mode as Test Drrive Mode!!!
I would not want to be a politician... Let me tell you this: If I was campaigning, and I go against my opponent and he started attacking my character, and I leap over the table and choke him unconscious, would that help my campaign? --Chuck Norris--
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#11 2008-10-06 18:54:03
- Tigeree
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- Registered: 2005-11-19
- Posts: 13,883
Re: I spotted a mistake in John Wyndhams novel
Yeah, I usually only spot the spelling mistakes. rather than grammar coz i'm not very good at that.
People don't notice whether it's winter or summer when they're happy.
~ Anton Chekhov
Cheer up, emo kid.
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