Google Groups no longer supports new Usenet posts or subscriptions. Historical content remains viewable.
Dismiss

Why Philatellic?

0 views
Skip to first unread message

Todd Marx

unread,
Jul 12, 2003, 4:53:11 PM7/12/03
to
Can somebody here settle a bet for me?

My friend and I have been arguing over the origins of the word
"philatellic." I say it's a cross between the words "Philadelphia"
-where the original PO was and "tellic" in honor of William Tell.

My friend says it's a combination of "Phil" --in honor of Phillusius
--the greek he says invented the stamp and the Prussian port city of
Tellicia.

Who is right?

J. A. Mc.

unread,
Jul 12, 2003, 8:47:36 PM7/12/03
to
On Sat, 12 Jul 2003 16:53:11 -0400, Todd Marx
<brand...@honestbarrysbeds.net> found these unused words floating
about:


neither ...

Essentially Philately is "love of freedom from tax" as in using the
prepaid labels made the letter free of additional charges.

Phi*lat"e*ly (?), n. [Philo- + Gr. exemption from tax; cf. frank to
send free.]

Todd Marx

unread,
Jul 13, 2003, 7:20:27 PM7/13/03
to
You made that up.

On Sat, 12 Jul 2003 17:47:36 -0700, J. A. Mc. <jaS...@gbr.online.com>
wrote:

J. A. Mc.

unread,
Jul 13, 2003, 9:06:33 PM7/13/03
to

Hue shuld trie uzing a dick shun airy ...

On Sun, 13 Jul 2003 19:20:27 -0400, Todd Marx

Todd Marx

unread,
Jul 14, 2003, 10:23:36 AM7/14/03
to
I wasn't trying to be a jerk. I was just implying that you made that
up. I think my explanation (and my friend's) makes more sense.

On Sun, 13 Jul 2003 18:06:33 -0700, J. A. Mc. <jaS...@gbr.online.com>

J. A. Mc.

unread,
Jul 14, 2003, 11:32:57 AM7/14/03
to
Believe -anything- you want ... just sometime have the temerity to
actually look up a word in a dictionary!


On Mon, 14 Jul 2003 10:23:36 -0400, Todd Marx

0 new messages