Verb form of Consequence?

[Intrigued]

Walking through the hallways of the (supposedly respected) high school that
my son will be attending in the fall, I was dismayed to see signs that used
the word "consequenced". For example, one sign read "Students who fail to
display their ID will be consequenced". I had never before seen a verb form
of the word "consequence"

I am unable to find the word "consequenced" in any on line or hardcopy
dictionary. Searching google resulted in a listing of many pages with the
word "consequenced". Of course, appearance of a word in google does not
indicate that the word is a recognized english word.

Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an educator at the
school, could I get a few opinions on whether "consequenced" is really a
word?

[CyberCypher]

Post by Intrigued
Walking through the hallways of the (supposedly respected) high
school that my son will be attending in the fall, I was dismayed
to see signs that used the word "consequenced". For example, one
sign read "Students who fail to display their ID will be
consequenced". I had never before seen a verb form of the word
"consequence"
I am unable to find the word "consequenced" in any on line or
hardcopy dictionary. Searching google resulted in a listing of
many pages with the word "consequenced". Of course, appearance of
a word in google does not indicate that the word is a recognized
english word.

Here you have hit the crux of the problem: what does it take to
claim that the word is a recognized English (capital "E", please;
"english" is not a recognized English word). If all the students,
faculty, and administrators at the high school in question recognize
"to consequence" as a meaningful English verb, then it must be one
--- for them, at least. And I would suggest that however barbaric it
may seem to you and me to verb that particular noun, English
speakers are always verbing their nouns. The meaning of this
apparent verb in this context is clear to me: "Any student who does
not display an ID will {suffer the consequences / be punished
according to the rules}".

Post by Intrigued
Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an
educator at the school, could I get a few opinions on whether
"consequenced" is really a word?

For most of us, I suspect, it is not really a word, but who are we when
compared with the many who create these logomachic monstrosities? They
are vastly in the majority.

[Woody Wordpecker]

On 27 Jul 2003 08:33:13 GMT, CyberCypher

Post by CyberCypher

Post by Intrigued
Walking through the hallways of the (supposedly respected) high
school that my son will be attending in the fall, I was dismayed
to see signs that used the word "consequenced". For example, one
sign read "Students who fail to display their ID will be
consequenced". I had never before seen a verb form of the word
"consequence"
I am unable to find the word "consequenced" in any on line or
hardcopy dictionary. Searching google resulted in a listing of
many pages with the word "consequenced". Of course, appearance of
a word in google does not indicate that the word is a recognized
english word.

Here you have hit the crux of the problem: what does it take to
claim that the word is a recognized English (capital "E", please;
"english" is not a recognized English word). If all the students,
faculty, and administrators at the high school in question recognize
"to consequence" as a meaningful English verb, then it must be one
--- for them, at least. And I would suggest that however barbaric it
may seem to you and me to verb that particular noun, English
speakers are always verbing their nouns. The meaning of this
apparent verb in this context is clear to me: "Any student who does
not display an ID will {suffer the consequences / be punished
according to the rules}".

Post by Intrigued
Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an
educator at the school, could I get a few opinions on whether
"consequenced" is really a word?

For most of us, I suspect, it is not really a word, but who are we when
compared with the many who create these logomachic monstrosities? They
are vastly in the majority.

Almost without exception I've found that when a noun-verb
conversion is maligned, the conversion is both more specific
and more concise than any of the alternatives suggested to
replace it.

The meaning of the verb "consequence" should be clear
without explanation to most readers. The obvious
alternative "suffer the consequences" is vaguer than the
clearly intended meaning: "be subject to the consequences
that normally ensue when there is an infraction of the rule
concerning display of an ID".

The alternative "punish according to the rules" is imprecise
because there is probably only one rule with regard to
displaying an ID. It also is questionable in that the
action to be taken may or may not be properly considered a
punishment. The word "punish" has a harsh connotation.

A similar remark applies to "suffer" in "suffer the
consequences". The normal connotation of "suffer" probably
doesn't apply to people who are merely found in violation of
a rule with regard to displaying an ID.

In any case, I would expect to find that any proposed
re-wording of "Students who fail to display their ID will be
consequenced" will need more syllables for its expression.
Achievement of greater brevity is by itself sufficient
justification for noun-verb conversion.

[Eric Walker]

On Fri, 24 Oct 2003 12:38:03 GMT, Woody Wordpecker wrote:

[ . . . re "consequenced"]

Post by Woody Wordpecker
Almost without exception I've found that when a noun-verb
conversion is maligned, the conversion is both more specific
and more concise than any of the alternatives suggested to
replace it.
The meaning of the verb "consequence" should be clear
without explanation to most readers. The obvious
alternative "suffer the consequences" is vaguer than the
clearly intended meaning: "be subject to the consequences
that normally ensue when there is an infraction of the rule
concerning display of an ID".
The alternative "punish according to the rules" is imprecise
because there is probably only one rule with regard to
displaying an ID. It also is questionable in that the
action to be taken may or may not be properly considered a
punishment. The word "punish" has a harsh connotation.
A similar remark applies to "suffer" in "suffer the
consequences". The normal connotation of "suffer" probably
doesn't apply to people who are merely found in violation of
a rule with regard to displaying an ID.
In any case, I would expect to find that any proposed
re-wording of "Students who fail to display their ID will be
consequenced" will need more syllables for its expression.
Achievement of greater brevity is by itself sufficient
justification for noun-verb conversion.

First off, it is certainly true that one of the strengths of
the English language, in a general sense, is its ability to
easily accept a verb as a noun or a noun as a verb (as well as
some other parts-of-speech conversions).

That said, any proposed alteration in established use needs to
be evaluated on its own merits. This particular one has no
merits but material demerits.

The reason is not the novelty or "ugliness" of the term, though
it is ugly enough (and that is not justified by noting that
other conversions have been ugly too): the reason is that the
conversion would generate yet another example of what I
personally term "mumble-mumble" words.

A "mumble-mumble" word is one that superficially seems to be
expressing a thought, but that on consideration can be seen to
be in fact only operating as a grammatical place-holder for the
spot where a real thought should have gone.

"The meaning of the verb 'consequence' should be clear without
explanation to most readers." I submit that it is not. That
is chiefly because the phrase it sets out to replace, "suffer
the consequences", is itself close to mumble-mumble: and when
we elide the "suffer" to get a more neutral term, we finally do
achieve real mumble-mumble.

"Students who fail to display their ID will be consequenced."

What is wanted there is a simple "punished", but the modern
soul shrivels in terror from such a bald statement of simple
fact. Or, if there is some exact form of punishment, then that
should be used:

"Students who fail to display their ID will be fined."

"Students who fail to display their ID will be suspended."[1]

In reality, every least single act in the universe is
"consequenced", so what is the point of saying so? There is no
point. We are left with a public notice that says "If you
don't display your ID, something vague and indefinite will
happen as a result." That extreme diffusion of possible
meaning into gaseous nothing is thoroughly typical of academia
(as well as bureaucracy); but there is no excuse for it out in
the real world, where people talk about real things and real
actions.

*And* all that is quite beside the fact that "consequenced" is
bad also because it is utterly illogical in the given context:
it is not the student who will "be consequenced"; whatever in
the world do we imagine "consequencing a person" might consist
in? It is the act, or failure, that would be "consequenced".
But let us pray devoutly that the usage never reaches the stage
where we need to consider such points. The world is already
far too full of mumble-mumble ("communicate" is another
offender, though it at least--however rarely--can have valid
use).


[1] More academese: why "fail to" instead of "do not"? And, as
expected from those who undertake to teach the young, we also
find an inability to write a simple sentence correctly, for
"ID" does not match in number "students": one student, one ID;
multiple students, multiple IDs.

Students who do not display their IDs will be Xed.

(Where X is what will actually happen to them, as above.)

[Joanne Marinelli]

Post by Eric Walker

Post by Woody Wordpecker
The alternative "punish according to the rules" is imprecise
because there is probably only one rule with regard to
displaying an ID. It also is questionable in that the
action to be taken may or may not be properly considered a
punishment. The word "punish" has a harsh connotation.
A similar remark applies to "suffer" in "suffer the
consequences". The normal connotation of "suffer" probably
doesn't apply to people who are merely found in violation of
a rule with regard to displaying an ID.
In any case, I would expect to find that any proposed
re-wording of "Students who fail to display their ID will be
consequenced" will need more syllables for its expression.
Achievement of greater brevity is by itself sufficient
justification for noun-verb conversion.

First off, it is certainly true that one of the strengths of
the English language, in a general sense, is its ability to
easily accept a verb as a noun or a noun as a verb (as well as
some other parts-of-speech conversions).
That said, any proposed alteration in established use needs to
be evaluated on its own merits. This particular one has no
merits but material demerits.
The reason is not the novelty or "ugliness" of the term, though
it is ugly enough (and that is not justified by noting that
other conversions have been ugly too): the reason is that the
conversion would generate yet another example of what I
personally term "mumble-mumble" words.
A "mumble-mumble" word is one that superficially seems to be
expressing a thought, but that on consideration can be seen to
be in fact only operating as a grammatical place-holder for the
spot where a real thought should have gone.
"The meaning of the verb 'consequence' should be clear without
explanation to most readers." I submit that it is not. That
is chiefly because the phrase it sets out to replace, "suffer
the consequences", is itself close to mumble-mumble: and when
we elide the "suffer" to get a more neutral term, we finally do
achieve real mumble-mumble.
"Students who fail to display their ID will be consequenced."
What is wanted there is a simple "punished", but the modern
soul shrivels in terror from such a bald statement of simple
fact. Or, if there is some exact form of punishment, then that

I agree, though I can see the school district's bind in explicitly stating
students will be punished. Disciplined is the more valid term for lack of
compliance in this instance.

Joanne

[Eric Walker]

On Sat, 25 Oct 2003 18:36:58 GMT, Joanne Marinelli wrote:

[...]

Post by Joanne Marinelli

Post by Eric Walker
What is wanted there is a simple "punished", but the modern
soul shrivels in terror from such a bald statement of simple
fact. Or, if there is some exact form of punishment, then

I agree, though I can see the school district's bind in
explicitly stating students will be punished. Disciplined is
the more valid term for lack of compliance in this instance.

Webster's New World Dictionary:

discipline: treatment that corrects or punishes

"Disciplined" would be nought here save a euphemism for the
simple, honest word: _punished_. If whatever happens to
students who do not show their IDs (when? where?) is not
punishment for that failure, whatever is the point of the
notice?

But so deep into the quagmire have we sunk that we shudder at
saying what we really mean in honest words--and academics
especially so.

[meirman]

In alt.english.usage on Sun, 27 Jul 2003 08:15:44 GMT "Intrigued"

Post by Intrigued
Walking through the hallways of the (supposedly respected) high school that
my son will be attending in the fall, I was dismayed to see signs that used
the word "consequenced". For example, one sign read "Students who fail to
display their ID will be consequenced". I had never before seen a verb form
of the word "consequence"
I am unable to find the word "consequenced" in any on line or hardcopy
dictionary. Searching google resulted in a listing of many pages with the
word "consequenced". Of course, appearance of a word in google does not
indicate that the word is a recognized english word.
Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an educator at the
school, could I get a few opinions on whether "consequenced" is really a
word?

If they correct that word, won't there still be more in the future.?

I think instead you have to convey to your son, in a way that may make
him grow up a little stronger than he would if he went to a high
school where they used good English, and yet in a way that won't bring
out the snotty teenager in him, that the challenge he would face in
life anyhow is starting a little earlier. I'm not a father. I don't
know if this can be done in every case, in many cases.

I don't remember bad English, but there were a small number of other
things when I was in school. My eighth grade shop and electric
teacher made a mistake in grading a test. He asked us why birds
didn't get electrocuted when they sat on power lines. I replied that
they were not grounded. He said that was wrong, it was because the
wires were insulated. For other reasons, I usually defer to others
until I'm sure, even when I'm already pretty sure. In fact many wires
are not insulated, but the birds don't get killed because they are not
grounded. It took me more than 10 years to be sure he had made a
mistake. I think that is too long. OTOH, I think one day would be too
short, no matter how stupid his answer had been and how sure I was
that I was right.

The problem is that you know something about English and I knew
something about electricity (I had a model train and I read books, or
something.). That's why you thought to check here and those other
places you looked. What about the areas your kid will know little
about and will be depending on the teacher, and the book?

You can talk at dinner about what he learned that day. And he should
learn to be on the lookout for things that don't seem reasonable. Of
course a lot of things are neither reasonable or not. They're just
facts, or mistakes.

In a way he should know that one cannot fully trust almost anything
that anyone tells you, unless he cites his sources, and one has
verified them. OTOH, I don't want his 9th or 10th year to be harder
than necessary. Maybe your warnings are best limited to English
usage, if you decide that has gone downhill faster than other things
that are taught.

More anecdotes:
In 10th grade American history, 1962, long before much feminism, Mr.
Cloncs told us that the sewing machine was invented by Mrs. Howe, not
Elias Howe. A) It was good of him to mention that if it was true. B)
I haven't heard this since (I also haven't tried to check). He might
have been joking. C) If it was true, it deserved more attention than
he gave it, just a passing comment. Because it might be reflective of
a bias in history. (There are lots of other possible reasons having
nothing to do with sex.) And the existence of one bias is a reminder
of how many different biases are possible. Maybe he thought we
weren't ready for stuff like this (even though I lived in I think the
richest high school district in Indiana (which trust me isn't really
saying much. We were all middle class, with a few people that were
poor and a few that were rich. I don't know who the rich ones were,
with maybe one exception. Off topic: Even though I went to school
from 1960 to 64, the only one to say a single word about the Civil
Rights movement was my Freshman Latin teacher, who pointed out that
engagement and wedding announcments for Negroes in the Indianapolis
Star, until recently I think, or still, at that time, appeared not on
the announcement page, but on the obituary page. Of course that one
pithy remark was worth hours of talking about it, at least to me.
Maybe that is what Mr. Cloncs thought about Elias and Mrs. Howe.

My geometry teacher had several problems, all related.

In law school (I'm sure she was proud of herself that she got into law
school) a young woman used an adverb where a predicate adjective
should have gone. Why I corrected her I don't know. (Maybe I was used
to the college I went to, where learning was more important than
egos.) Her first answer was that I was wrong, and her second was that
she majored in English (so that proved I was wrong.)

I've gradually gotten tired of correcting people, except in this
newsgroup, of course.


s/ meirman If you are emailing me please
say if you are posting the same response.

Born west of Pittsburgh Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis, 7 years
Chicago, 6 years
Brooklyn NY 12 years
Baltimore 17 years

[Edwin Ellinwood]

Post by meirman
In alt.english.usage on Sun, 27 Jul 2003 08:15:44 GMT "Intrigued"

<snip>

I've gradually gotten tired of correcting people, except in this

Post by meirman
newsgroup, of course.

I still correct people, and although most resent it, there have been a few
who have actually thanked me. It is the desire of these few for the proper
use of English, that makes it all worth while.

[Steve Howarth]

Post by Intrigued
Walking through the hallways of the (supposedly respected) high school that
my son will be attending in the fall, I was dismayed to see signs that used
the word "consequenced". For example, one sign read "Students who fail to
display their ID will be consequenced". I had never before seen a verb form
of the word "consequence"
I am unable to find the word "consequenced" in any on line or hardcopy
dictionary. Searching google resulted in a listing of many pages with the
word "consequenced". Of course, appearance of a word in google does not
indicate that the word is a recognized english word.
Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an educator at the
school, could I get a few opinions on whether "consequenced" is really a
word?

It's yet another abomination. Where do these things start? More and more I
am convinced that there are people out there whose sole mission is to
introduce these sorts of things into the English language.

Steve Howarth

[Woody Wordpecker]

On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 11:34:27 +0100, "Steve Howarth"
[ . . . ]

Post by Steve Howarth

Post by Intrigued
Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence"
to an educator at the school, could I get a few
opinions on whether "consequenced" is really a
word?

It's yet another abomination. Where do these things
start? More and more I am convinced that there are
people out there whose sole mission is to introduce
these sorts of things into the English language.

I suppose the same sort of knee-jerk condemnation may have
occurred when the verb "shovel" (late Middle English) was
first formed from the noun "shovel" (Old English).

Language evolves, and one way that it evolves is in the
direction of improved brevity. Noun-verb conversions in
general promote improved brevity.

[Woody Wordpecker]

On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 10:35:01 -0400, Schultz

Post by Steve Howarth

<...> For example, one sign read "Students who fail to
display their ID will be consequenced". I had never before seen a verb form
of the word "consequence" <...>

It's yet another abomination. Where do these things start? More and more I
am convinced that there are people out there whose sole mission is to
introduce these sorts of things into the English language.

Yeah. Like the first person who mentioned "watering" a plant. And that
other guy who mentioned "manning" the controls. What abominations. Where
do these things start?
Oh, wait. Those nouns were verbed before you were born, so they're all
right. Is that it? But now the whole constant, traditional, historical
process has to stop because you're here now and you don't like it. Is
that it?

Well said.

[Harvey Van Sickle]

Post by Intrigued
Walking through the hallways of the (supposedly respected) high
school that my son will be attending in the fall, I was dismayed
to see signs that used the word "consequenced". For example, one
sign read "Students who fail to display their ID will be
consequenced". I had never before seen a verb form of the word
"consequence"
I am unable to find the word "consequenced" in any on line or
hardcopy dictionary. Searching google resulted in a listing of
many pages with the word "consequenced". Of course, appearance of
a word in google does not indicate that the word is a recognized
english word.
Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an
educator at the school, could I get a few opinions on whether
"consequenced" is really a word?

It's sure an ugly little bugger, but it's undeniably a word. (You've
seen it and quoted it, so there ya' go......it's real, but that doesn't
make it pretty.....)

English has such a long tradition of verbing nouns, that fighting one
on the basis of "correctness" is bound to be a losing battle -- no
matter how infelicitous the resulting word may be. For what it's
worth, I'd tend to ridicule the person who used such a clunky form,
rather than trying to nail them on the basis of correct or recognised
words.

[meirman]

In alt.english.usage on Sun, 27 Jul 2003 11:44:30 +0100 Harvey Van

Post by Harvey Van Sickle

Post by Intrigued
Walking through the hallways of the (supposedly respected) high
school that my son will be attending in the fall, I was dismayed
to see signs that used the word "consequenced". For example, one
sign read "Students who fail to display their ID will be
consequenced". I had never before seen a verb form of the word
"consequence"
I am unable to find the word "consequenced" in any on line or
hardcopy dictionary. Searching google resulted in a listing of
many pages with the word "consequenced". Of course, appearance of
a word in google does not indicate that the word is a recognized
english word.
Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an
educator at the school, could I get a few opinions on whether
"consequenced" is really a word?

It's sure an ugly little bugger, but it's undeniably a word. (You've
seen it and quoted it, so there ya' go......it's real, but that doesn't
make it pretty.....)
English has such a long tradition of verbing nouns, that fighting one

I don't even like the expression "verbing nouns". I much prefer
"making verbs from nouns". :)

Post by Harvey Van Sickle
on the basis of "correctness" is bound to be a losing battle -- no
matter how infelicitous the resulting word may be. For what it's
worth, I'd tend to ridicule the person who used such a clunky form,
rather than trying to nail them on the basis of correct or recognised
words.

s/ meirman If you are emailing me please
say if you are posting the same response.

Born west of Pittsburgh Pa. 10 years
Indianapolis, 7 years
Chicago, 6 years
Brooklyn NY 12 years
Baltimore 17 years

[Robert Lieblich]

Post by Intrigued
Walking through the hallways of the (supposedly respected) high school that
my son will be attending in the fall, I was dismayed to see signs that used
the word "consequenced". For example, one sign read "Students who fail to
display their ID will be consequenced". I had never before seen a verb form
of the word "consequence"
I am unable to find the word "consequenced" in any on line or hardcopy
dictionary. Searching google resulted in a listing of many pages with the
word "consequenced". Of course, appearance of a word in google does not
indicate that the word is a recognized english word.
Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an educator at the
school, could I get a few opinions on whether "consequenced" is really a
word?

I've read some other responses, and I share the general view that
(1) there is nothing wrong per se with verbing nouns but (2) this
one is really ugly. But you might want to imagine the reaction if
you accost someone high up in the chain of authority at the school
about this usage. Here are some possible reactions:

1. We've used it that way around here for years.

2. Everyone knows what we mean. Didn't you?

3. I learned it in Ed School. Were my professors wrong, too?

4. (Assuming some degree of sophistication) What's wrong with
verbing nouns?

5. I'm the educator here, not you.

6. Don't you have better things to do with your time?

7. By George, you're right. I'll fix that right away.

What are the odds on that last one?

Most of us who have nursed our kids through secondary school have
taught them to be indulgent of their teachers' frequent displays of
ignorance. Even teachers are human. Tell them what they want to
hear even if you know better. If Mrs. Thistlebottom thinks it is
correct to write "He is one of the students who is always late to
class," she doesn't want to hear that "are" is preferred, if not
required, in that sentence. Feed her a diet of "is"s. Your grades
will be better, and the poor dear will be happy.

"Consequence" the verb sucks. But there's more to life than who can
write the most elegant sentences. Help your child learn wisdom from
this episode, not just English.

[Woody Wordpecker]

On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 08:49:01 -0400, Robert Lieblich
<***@Verizon.net> said:

[about "consequence" as a verb"

Post by Robert Lieblich
I've read some other responses, and I share the general view that
(1) there is nothing wrong per se with verbing nouns but (2) this
one is really ugly.

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder.

How is "consequenced" *uglier* than, say, "reprimanded", a
verb that was made in the late 17th century from the early
17th century noun "reprimand"?

[Dr Robin Bignall]

Post by Woody Wordpecker
On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 08:49:01 -0400, Robert Lieblich
[about "consequence" as a verb"

Post by Robert Lieblich
I've read some other responses, and I share the general view that
(1) there is nothing wrong per se with verbing nouns but (2) this
one is really ugly.

Ugly is in the eye of the beholder.
How is "consequenced" *uglier* than, say, "reprimanded", a
verb that was made in the late 17th century from the early
17th century noun "reprimand"?

(Strange thing, "Woody", I'm seeing only your posts in this thread, and
none of your correspondents' posts. I wonder if anyone else using the
German server is having this difficulty.)

[Woody Wordpecker]

On Fri, 24 Oct 2003 23:54:14 +0100, Dr Robin Bignall

Post by Dr Robin Bignall

Post by Woody Wordpecker
On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 08:49:01 -0400, Robert Lieblich
[about "consequence" as a verb"]

[ . . . ]

Post by Dr Robin Bignall
(Strange thing, "Woody", I'm seeing only your posts in this thread, and
none of your correspondents' posts. I wonder if anyone else using the
German server is having this difficulty.)

It's no doubt because the postings I've commented on were
posted in the last week or so of July.

I had become curious about what was going on in
misc.education.language.english and was scanning the subject
lines for the past three months -- my ISP's retention period
-- when I ran across this subject line and thought it looked
potentially interesting. The thread happened to be
crossposted to alt.english.usage.

[Dr Robin Bignall]

Post by Woody Wordpecker
On Fri, 24 Oct 2003 23:54:14 +0100, Dr Robin Bignall

Post by Dr Robin Bignall

Post by Woody Wordpecker
On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 08:49:01 -0400, Robert Lieblich
[about "consequence" as a verb"]

[ . . . ]

Post by Dr Robin Bignall
(Strange thing, "Woody", I'm seeing only your posts in this thread, and
none of your correspondents' posts. I wonder if anyone else using the
German server is having this difficulty.)

It's no doubt because the postings I've commented on were
posted in the last week or so of July.
I had become curious about what was going on in
misc.education.language.english and was scanning the subject
lines for the past three months -- my ISP's retention period
-- when I ran across this subject line and thought it looked
potentially interesting. The thread happened to be
crossposted to alt.english.usage.

That explains it, for I only keep posts around on my system for a month. I
don't think my ISP keeps them even that long for busy groups. Thanks.

[Mark Wallace]

Post by Woody Wordpecker
On Fri, 24 Oct 2003 23:54:14 +0100, Dr Robin Bignall

On Fri, 24 Oct 2003 12:58:07 GMT, Woody Wordpecker

Post by Woody Wordpecker
On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 08:49:01 -0400, Robert Lieblich
[about "consequence" as a verb"]

[ . . . ]

(Strange thing, "Woody", I'm seeing only your posts in this thread,
and none of your correspondents' posts. I wonder if anyone else
using the German server is having this difficulty.)

It's no doubt because the postings I've commented on were
posted in the last week or so of July.
I had become curious about what was going on in
misc.education.language.english and was scanning the subject
lines for the past three months -- my ISP's retention period
-- when I ran across this subject line and thought it looked
potentially interesting. The thread happened to be
crossposted to alt.english.usage.

That's Ok. It doesn't consequence.


<throws up>

--
Mark Wallace
-----------------------------------------------------
For the intelligent approach to nasty humour, visit:
The Anglo-American Humour (humor) Site
http://earth.prohosting.com/mwal/
-----------------------------------------------------

[Owain]

"Intrigued" wrote
| Walking through the hallways of the (supposedly respected) high school
that
| my son will be attending in the fall, I was dismayed to see signs that
used
| the word "consequenced". For example, one sign read "Students who fail to
| display their ID will be consequenced". I had never before seen a verb
form
| of the word "consequence"
| I am unable to find the word "consequenced" in any on line or hardcopy
| dictionary. Searching google resulted in a listing of many pages with the
| word "consequenced". Of course, appearance of a word in google does not
| indicate that the word is a recognized english word.
| Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an educator at the
| school, could I get a few opinions on whether "consequenced" is really a
| word?

It has probably become a word that means something specific within that
institution. Your son will have to wait until he fails to display his ID
before he finds out whether being "consequenced" means being reprimanded, or
being nailed to the school flagpole by his earflaps.

Owain

[Intrigued]

Thank you for all of the detailed replies.

After reading Bob Lieblich's reply, I've decided that I will politely send
an anonymous note to the school asking that they consider modifying the
signs so that the word "consequenced" is not used. Maybe I am being
unrealistically optimistic, but I suspect that they will actually reply "By
George, you're right. I'll fix that right away."

And, after reading several other replies, I will agree that English speakers
are often [improperly] "verbing" their nouns. In fact, I just came across
an advertisement on a web site that states: "Features a king sized bed,
fireplaced sitting area. Bath with shower and two-person whirlpool tub.
Private sundeck accessed through French door."

Until now, I didn't know that "fireplace" had a verb form. Searching
google, though, the word "fireplaced" appears to be widely used in real
estate advertisements.

Time to start writing to those real estate agents . . .

Post by Intrigued
Walking through the hallways of the (supposedly respected) high school that
my son will be attending in the fall, I was dismayed to see signs that used
the word "consequenced". For example, one sign read "Students who fail to
display their ID will be consequenced". I had never before seen a verb form
of the word "consequence"
I am unable to find the word "consequenced" in any on line or hardcopy
dictionary. Searching google resulted in a listing of many pages with the
word "consequenced". Of course, appearance of a word in google does not
indicate that the word is a recognized english word.
Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an educator at the
school, could I get a few opinions on whether "consequenced" is really a
word?

[Intrigued]

At least of the responders to my post used the phrase "verbing nouns".
Searching google for that phrase, I found this humourous poem.

http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/family/verbing.html

[Edwin Ellinwood]

That was funny; thank you.
I've just sent it to some of the writer's whose works I've had the pleasure
of editing.

Post by Intrigued
At least of the responders to my post used the phrase "verbing nouns".
Searching google for that phrase, I found this humourous poem.
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/family/verbing.html

[Odysseus]

Post by Edwin Ellinwood
I've just sent it to some of the writer's whose works I've had the pleasure
of editing.

Too bad there's only the one. But there seems to be a word missing:
do you mean that you sent the article to some of his addresses? Or
perhaps to some of his pseudonyms?

[Edwin Ellinwood]

OOPS.
there are more than one.

...writers'

Post by Odysseus

Post by Edwin Ellinwood
I've just sent it to some of the writer's whose works I've had the pleasure
of editing.

do you mean that you sent the article to some of his addresses? Or
perhaps to some of his pseudonyms?
--
Odysseus

[Odysseus]

Post by Edwin Ellinwood
OOPS.
there are more than one.
...writers'

Ah, that changes the bit I thought I understood already. But sorry,
it hasn't prompted me to come up with any better idea of the missing
word. What was it?

[Intrigued]

I meant to say "At least a few of the responders to my post . . ."

Post by Intrigued
At least of the responders to my post used the phrase "verbing nouns".
Searching google for that phrase, I found this humourous poem.
http://ccat.sas.upenn.edu/~haroldfs/family/verbing.html

[Edwin Ellinwood]

Post by Intrigued
Walking through the hallways of the (supposedly respected) high school that
my son will be attending in the fall, I was dismayed to see signs that used
the word "consequenced". For example, one sign read "Students who fail to
display their ID will be consequenced". I had never before seen a verb form
of the word "consequence"
I am unable to find the word "consequenced" in any on line or hardcopy
dictionary. Searching google resulted in a listing of many pages with the
word "consequenced". Of course, appearance of a word in google does not
indicate that the word is a recognized english word.
Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an educator at the
school, could I get a few opinions on whether "consequenced" is really a
word?

It is NOT a proper word. Please draw the line and remind the (mis)educators
at that school that to cqall them morons would be an insult to morons,
because even a moron should know "consequenced" is not a word.

Also please post the school name and address so we can correct the imbecile
or imbeciles who wrote that sentence.

[Intrigued]

"Edwin Ellinwood" <***@verizon.S.P.A.M.net> wrote in
message news:7ySUa.6322$***@nwrdny02.gnilink.net...

(other stuff deleted)

Post by Edwin Ellinwood

Post by Intrigued
Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an educator at the
school, could I get a few opinions on whether "consequenced" is really a
word?

It is NOT a proper word. Please draw the line and remind the

(mis)educators

Post by Edwin Ellinwood
at that school that to cqall them morons would be an insult to morons,
because even a moron should know "consequenced" is not a word.
Also please post the school name and address so we can correct the imbecile
or imbeciles who wrote that sentence.

Okay, if you really want to know, it's Magruder High School, Rockville,
Maryland.

Here's the address of their web site:

http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/magruderhs/

[Edwin Ellinwood]

Post by Intrigued
(other stuff deleted)

Post by Edwin Ellinwood

Post by Intrigued
Before I mention the incorrect form of "consequence" to an educator at

the

Post by Edwin Ellinwood

Post by Intrigued
school, could I get a few opinions on whether "consequenced" is really a
word?

It is NOT a proper word. Please draw the line and remind the

(mis)educators

Post by Edwin Ellinwood
at that school that to cqall them morons would be an insult to morons,
because even a moron should know "consequenced" is not a word.
Also please post the school name and address so we can correct the

imbecile

Post by Edwin Ellinwood
or imbeciles who wrote that sentence.

Okay, if you really want to know, it's Magruder High School, Rockville,
Maryland.
http://www.mcps.k12.md.us/schools/magruderhs/

Here's my email to the school:

To Whom It May Concern:

Please inform the (mis)educators at the Magruder High School that they are
being made to look like jackasses in alt.english.usage because they have
threatened students with being "consequenced" if they fail to wear their
student IDs.

If this is true, and signs referencing this non-existent word do exist
throughout the school, then someone is either too lazy to write "...will
suffer the consequences..." or too stupid to know that "...will be
consequenced..." is not proper English. Whichever the case, the improper
usage is inexcusable.

Educational institutions should make every effort to raise intelligence
levels, not lower them.

I trust these signs, if they exist, will be replaced, and the moron who
wrote them will be required to retake 6th grade English.

Sincerely,
I am a horrified editor of English publications,

E. Donald Ellinwood, Jr.
Providence, RI

[Harvey Van Sickle]

On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 22:05:27 GMT, Edwin Ellinwood wrote

-snip-
-snip "horrified in RI" e-mail

You go for it, EE: that'll make 'em sit up and see the errors of their
ways......

[Robert Lieblich]

Post by Harvey Van Sickle
-snip-
-snip "horrified in RI" e-mail
You go for it, EE: that'll make 'em sit up and see the errors of their
ways......

He did have the balls to sign his name (and it looks like a real
one).

I hope he'll post the reply.

[Woody Wordpecker]

On Sun, 27 Jul 2003 22:05:27 GMT, "Edwin Ellinwood"
<***@verizon.S.P.A.M.net> said:


[ . . . ]
[intemperate and unjustified diatribe mercifully omitted]

Here's my possible e-mail to the school:

[reference to Ellinwood's quoted e-mail]

Please be aware that not all contributors to the
Usenet groups alt.english.usage and
misc.education.language.english share Ellinwood's
reactionary views on noun-verb conversion as
expressed in his intemperate e-mail to you.

You can read a series of 28 Usenet postings
starting with Message-ID:
<QSLUa.6420$***@nwrddc01.gnilink.net> for
a more sensible and balanced discussion of
the topic.