Re: New issue of JVP 2001(2) (semi-JOKE)

["Jaime A. Headden" <qilongia@yahoo.com>]

Rob Gay (rob_redwing@hotmail.com) wrote:

<I personally dislike Anythingraptor. I was talking to someone
about _Eoraptor_, and they asked if it was as mean as the
"Raptors" from Jurassic Park. Gah...same thing with oviraptors
and such.>

  AW, this is what comes of people not taking terminology in
context.

  In Osborn's usage, -raptor was used to specifically infer the
etymology "snatcher" -- thus, "egg snatcher" ... only in uses
where the term is colloquial, as in *Velociraptor*, which
certainly isn't the "snatcher of swift [things]" as the
etymology implies, does the name seem to fail. It is used (as
described) in the sense of a small predator.

  Both *Oviraptor* and *Conchoraptor* are well formed
constructs, whereas *Velociraptor* and *Utahraptor* are not
except for their suggestion as a predator. A modifier to imply
the nature of a predator (_praedator_ is a Latin word as well,
mind, meaning a hunter, and I have a mind to use this name [in
part] in reference to a certain small theropod...).

  Please, don't confuse _Jurassic Park_ with the usefulness of
the word "raptor" when used _right_.

=====
Jaime A. Headden

  Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhr-gen-ti-na
  Where the Wind Comes Sweeping Down the Pampas!!!!

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