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 15, 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.

• Mulling/milling around in NYC ESC 16/August/03
  • Mulling/milling around in NYC Word Camel 16/August/03