Mulling/milling around in NYC

Posted by ESC on August 16, 2003

In Reply to: Mulling/milling around in NYC posted by Word Camel 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."

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