Replying to myself again.
I've got about 100 reference books of all sorts, not counting the
encyclopedias, and I found a slightly different definition of "utilize" in The
Merriam Webster's Dictionary of English Usage:
"utilize: Usage writers dislike "utilize" because they regard is as a
needlessly long and pretentious substitute for "use." They generally recommend
either that it be disdained altogether or that it be used (not utilized) only
when it has the meaning "to turn to practical use or account." That is, in
fact, almost invariably the meaning of "utilize" in actual usage."
Like one of my old college journalism professors told us, "Never use a
three-dollar word when a one-dollar word will do."
Walt
--
"Anything more than 500 yards from
the car just isn't photogenic." --
Edward Weston
-------------- Original message ----------------------
From: hiwayman@xxxxxxx (Walt Wayman)
>
> My Merrimam Webster's Collegiate Dictionary defines it as:
>
> "To make use of, to turn to practical use or account."
>
> And my Funk and Wagnalls defines it pretty much the same way:
>
> "To make useful; turn to practical account; make use of."
>
> I hung a new clock on the wall over the fireplace yesterday by driving a nail
> into the wall. So, did I "use" or "utilize" a hammer? I prefer "use," but I
> don't think "utilize" would be wrong.
>
> Walt, practicing pedantry again
>
>
>
> --
> "Anything more than 500 yards from
> the car just isn't photogenic." --
> Edward Weston
>
>
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