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Single Idea 4563

[from 'Philosophy and the Nature of Language' by David E. Cooper, in 19. Language / A. Nature of Meaning / 6. Meaning as Use ]

Full Idea

The sentence 'How now brown cow?' has its use in elocutions classes, yet this aspect of its use tells us nothing about its meaning.

Gist of Idea

'How now brown cow?' is used for elocution, but this says nothing about its meaning

Source

David E. Cooper (Philosophy and the Nature of Language [1973], §2.4)

Book Reference

Cooper,David E.: 'Philosophy and the Nature of Language' [Longman 1979], p.40


A Reaction

Indeed, and also there are weird sentence of which we can assemble a meaning, but cannot think of any conceivable use ('rats swim in purple marmalade').