Re: diminutives (was: Foreign Names)

On Sat, 28 Oct 2000, John Cowan wrote:

> On Fri, 27 Oct 2000, Yoon Ha Lee wrote:
>
> > <wry look>  I've never understood the terminology myself.  I'm trying to
> > remember if diminutives are usually longer or shorter with "English"
> > names but I think they can go either way.
>
> The term "diminutive" refers to the size of the *referent*, not the
> size of the *word*.  Often size is used metaphorically, either
> positively ("Stevie" < "little Steve") or negatively ("princeling"
> < "prince of insignificant realm").
Ah!  <enlightened look>  What I get for thinking too literally.  Thanks
muchly!

YHL