Re: OT: Musical languistics

Mark J. Reed scripsit:

> Why do we talk about stock prices
> moving up or down by "points", when they're actually measured in
> currency units?
I remember being puzzled as a child (during the Vietnam War) by statements
like "We have 50,000 troops in Vietnam".  To me "troop" meant only a
group, and I wondered how many soldiers were contained in 50,000 troops.

        "Possession is said to be nine points of the law,
        _but that's not saying how many points the law might have_."
                --Thomas A. Cowan

--
And through this revolting graveyard of the universe the muffled, maddening
beating of drums, and thin, monotonous whine of blasphemous flutes from
inconceivable, unlighted chambers beyond Time; the detestable pounding
and piping whereunto dance slowly, awkwardly, and absurdly the gigantic
tenebrous ultimate gods --  the blind, voiceless, mindless gargoyles whose soul
is Nyarlathotep. (Lovecraft) John Cowan|jcowan@reutershealth.com|ccil.org/~cowan