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Monday, November 15, 2010

On Meaning, by Lewis Carroll

"To be sure I was!' Humpty Dumpty said gaily, as she turned it round for 
him. 'I thought it looked a little queer. As I was saying, that SEEMS 
to be done right--though I haven't time to look it over thoroughly just 
now--and that shows that there are three hundred and sixty-four days 
when you might get un-birthday presents--' 

Certainly,' said Alice. 

And only ONE for birthday presents, you know. There's glory for you!' 

I don't know what you mean by "glory,"' Alice said. 

Humpty Dumpty smiled contemptuously. 'Of course you don't--till I tell 
you. I meant "there's a nice knock-down argument for you!"' 

But "glory" doesn't mean "a nice knock-down argument,"' Alice objected. 

When _I_ use a word,' Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, 'it 
means just what I choose it to mean--neither more nor less.' 

The question is,' said Alice, 'whether you CAN make words mean so many 
different things.' 

The question is,' said Humpty Dumpty, 'which is to be master--that's 
all." 
 Lewis Carroll

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