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53 minutes ago, gfweb said:

If the majority rules in language then all the quaint British expressions are rendered meaningless. 

Nonsense.

While most dictionaries will list meanings by most common to less common, good ones will include minority meanings too and award them equal validity.

I'm not saying that the American uses of barbecue to mean a sandwich or a bit of grilled pork are invalid; I'm just saying they are minority usages.

"Quaint" is not a word any linguist would use to describe any word.

20 minutes ago, gfweb said:

If the majority rules in language then all the quaint British expressions are rendered meaningless. 

Nonsense.

While most dictionaries will list meanings by most common to less common, good ones will include minority meanings to and award them equal validity.

I'm not saying that the American uses of barbecue to mean a sandwich or a bit of pork are invalid; I'm just saying they are minority usages.

"Quaint" is not a word any linguist would use to describe any word.

19 minutes ago, gfweb said:

If the majority rules in language then all the quaint British expressions are rendered meaningless. 

Nonsense.

While most dictionaries will list meanings by most common to less common, good ones will include minority meanings to and award them equal validity.