Re: USAGE: 'born'

This time I've read through to the end of the thread.

> "Phonix is a boomtown where nearly a quarter
> of the children live in poverty.
>     If there's any one thing that distinguishes Phoenix,
> it's that the city is still becoming. There may be arguments
> as to what it's becoming..."
How interesting the various interpretations this have been!  I must say that
my initial (and for that matter final) interpretation was that it was meant
as a pun.  I thought a rather good one as puns go.  I, of course interpreted
the first occurrence of 'becoming' as the adjective meaning 'attractive'.
It was interesting to see this usage was considered rather 'old-fashioned'
by some.  Well, I suppose I'm showing my age, but it's a quite common usage
in my vocabulary.  Some were totally unaware of the meaning 'attractive'.  I
suppose that, in some sense, that suggests its 'old-fashioned' status.
Others didn't even see the adjective interpretation until pointed out to
them.  Could that be because they never or rarely heard this usage, at least
not recently?  I'm beginning to feel old.

As for the intransitive usage of 'becoming', how odd.  I have never heard
this verb used this way.  I must agree with those who would ask "becoming
what?"  I was most surprised to find so many of you were not only familiar
with this usage, but assumed it to be the only interpretation "In a modern
context" as at least one of you put it.  Oh my, I've got to get out more
often!

Curious.  Yes, curious indeed!

David

David E. Bell
The Gray Wizard
www.graywizard.net

Wisdom begins in wonder.