[ILUG] Linux.ie and Spam

[Rick Moen]

Quoting Ciaran Costelloe (ccostelloe at flogas.ie):

> Are you sure?  The word originally meant a poisonous substance, as in
> the pus from an ulcer. 

It's what the dictionaries seem to say -- though I'll not be able to
check my _OED_ until I get home.  Does it matter?  The English plural
would be formed with -es even if the word came from Outer Mongolia.

> Analysing the Romans' use of the word in Latin seems a bit presumptious.

I really don't think they'll mind -- but the consuls are welcome to
send me a telegram, if they're offended.

> More correct than the vernacular usage: most people use the word fish
> where they should be using fishes.

OK, but in this case the vernacular usage _is_ "viruses", so I'm still 
not getting your point.