Re: Expletive (was: Odd construct)

>The word originally meant "a filler (element)" << Latin: ex-ple:re "to
>fill out".  It was used first AFAIK to describe more or less meaningless words
>inserted into verse to fill out the line.
>
>Thence it came also to be used to denote a word which carries no meaning
>but serves only a grammatical purpose, e.g. _it_ is raining; _there_ are
>three main causes; etc.
<snip>

Could expletive also mean a swear word because they are often used as an empty filler?

The Aquamarine Demon
"When I hear somebody sigh, 'Life is hard,' I'm always tempted to ask, 'Compared to what?' "


---------------------------------
Do You Yahoo!?
Make a great connection at Yahoo! Personals.