Hi GG:
Thanks for your compliment, but the use of the term compleat is intended as a mild
witticism, and is - in addition - correct. It is a play on the title of the English book
of 1653, "The Compleat Angler" by Izaak Walton (sub titled: The Contemplative Man's
Recreation). Numerous wags (such as myself) have used parallel titles to draw attention to
their bon mots.
From the dictionary:
compleat (kem-plêt´) adjective
-
Of or characterized by a highly developed or wide-ranging skill or proficiency: "The
compleat speechwriter . . . comes to anonymity from Harvard Law" (Israel Shenker).
-
Being an outstanding example of a kind; quintessential: "Here was the compleat modern
misfit: the very air appeared to poison him; his every step looked treacherous and hard
won" (Stephen Schiff).
[Variant of COMPLETE.]
The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition is licensed
from Houghton Mifflin Company. Copyright © 1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company. All
rights reserved.
While this IS an American English dictionary, I believe the derivation sufficiently
English to qualify for the same meaning and justification within the auspices of the UK
without further recourse to lexicographic research.
To be truthful, though, even if it was wrong I wouldn't change it.
Well, I guess YOU learn something every day!
Regards,
Ed
Ed Grenda
Castle Island Co.
