Brush Up Your Webster\u27s

From time to time in Word Ways we have seen logological wordplay illustrated from a bewildering variety of sources. In this article we propose to show that one need not always look in arcane and esoteric references to prove one\u27s point. Why not turn first to the major U.S. dictionary, Webster\u27s Third New International? In particular, we see little if any need for referring to obsolete dictionaries, such as Webster\u27s Second (which only invites Webster\u27s First, which invites who-knows-what), nor to specialized once-only publications. We don\u27t object to these less authoritative works -- we simply wish to point out that these other references should only be considered the prime authority