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What does "micropatrology" mean?
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Fritz Lehmann
Jun 5, 1992, 9:11:55 AM6/5/92
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The word "micropatrology" refers to the study of small and
little-known nations and territories. The word was coined in about 1973,
probably by me or by one Christopher Martin, now an employee of the Spastic
Society, London, England. I've seen it used in 2 books and about 12 newspaper and
magazine stories in the UK and USA and Tonga. I haven't tried to look it up
in any modern dictionaries or encylopaedias. It usually refers to countries
smaller or more obscure than Luxembourg, including very obscure examples
(like the Kingdom of Tavolara) and attempts to found new countries (like
the current Principality of Sealand). Also, "micropatrologist" has been used
for students of this subject. I estimate that there are perhaps a hundred
or so worldwide, of whom only about 30 use the word. The word, like "bicycle", is
Graeco-Latin; a factional attempt to counter it with "Micropolitan"
in the 1980's failed. There is an International Micropatrological Society,
founded in the early 1970's, of which I am President. It is rather inactive.
I would personally like to hear of any more published uses of the word
(or for that matter any micropatrological examples or stories).
little-known nations and territories. The word was coined in about 1973,
probably by me or by one Christopher Martin, now an employee of the Spastic
Society, London, England. I've seen it used in 2 books and about 12 newspaper and
magazine stories in the UK and USA and Tonga. I haven't tried to look it up
in any modern dictionaries or encylopaedias. It usually refers to countries
smaller or more obscure than Luxembourg, including very obscure examples
(like the Kingdom of Tavolara) and attempts to found new countries (like
the current Principality of Sealand). Also, "micropatrologist" has been used
for students of this subject. I estimate that there are perhaps a hundred
or so worldwide, of whom only about 30 use the word. The word, like "bicycle", is
Graeco-Latin; a factional attempt to counter it with "Micropolitan"
in the 1980's failed. There is an International Micropatrological Society,
founded in the early 1970's, of which I am President. It is rather inactive.
I would personally like to hear of any more published uses of the word
(or for that matter any micropatrological examples or stories).
Yours truly, Fritz Lehmann
124 Parsons, Webster Groves, MO 63119 USA (314)968-8337 fr...@rodin.wustl.edu
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