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From: desj@brahms.UUCP
Newsgroups: news.stargate
Subject: Re: At long last, we have found the stargate archives!
Message-ID: <3646@jade.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: Tue, 19-May-87 22:16:32 EDT
Article-I.D.: jade.3646
Posted: Tue May 19 22:16:32 1987
Date-Received: Thu, 21-May-87 05:36:38 EDT
References: <965@vortex.UUCP> <7946@utzoo.UUCP> <7947@utzoo.UUCP> <1870@cbmvax.cbmvax.cbm.UUCP> <236@brandx.rutgers.edu> <567@hadron.UUCP>
Sender: usenet@jade.BERKELEY.EDU
Reply-To: desj@brahms.Berkeley.EDU (David desJardins)
Organization: UC Berkeley Math Dept [IN EXILE]
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In article <567@hadron.UUCP> jsdy@hadron.UUCP (Joseph S. D. Yao) quotes
some definitions which purport to show that the word "heckle" has the
negative connotation of harassment.  It is clear from any dictionary
worthy of the name that the original meaning is merely one of hostile
interrogation, but not necessarily with an intent to harass rather than
to inform.  The OED:

	3. trans. To catechize severely, with a view to discover the
	weak points of the person interrogated.  Long applied in Scot-
	land to the public questioning of parliamentary candidates.
	Also absol.

   By this standard any cross-examiner, interrogator, or other hostile
questioner clearly qualifies as a "heckler"; any presumption of intent
is unwarranted.  Any additional connotation is a quite modern addition
(since the OED does not even *mention* a negative connotation).

   -- David desJardins