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Mulling/milling around in NYC

Posted by Word Camel on August 16, 2003

In Reply to: Mulling/milling around in NYC posted by ESC on August 16, 2003

: : : TV people on CNN keep saying that New Yorkers are "mulling around." Shouldn't that be "milling around"? Are they just plain wrong or is there a new meaning for "mulling" in addition to "pondering??

: : : (Merriam-Webster online)

: : : Main Entry: 1mull
: : : Pronunciation: 'm&l
: : : Function: verb
: : : Etymology: Middle English, from mul, mol dust, probably from Middle Dutch; akin to Old English melu meal -- more at MEAL
: : : Date: 15th century
: : : transitive senses
: : : 1 : to grind or mix thoroughly : PULVERIZE
: : : 2 : to consider at length : PONDER -- often used with over
: : : intransitive senses : MEDITATE, PONDER

: : Yes, it should be 'milling'. The American media seem particularly prone to this sort of thing.

: And it wasn't one. At last count, three of 'em had used the expression "mulling about."

Maybe we should suggest it to Paul Brian for the Common Errors in English site. I checked and he doesn't have it there.

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