Well, seeing this is an Australian newsgroup, the Macquarie Dictionary
is the bible.
Its definition of escapee is "n. one who has escaped, as from
internment, imprisonment, etc". So feel free to continue to refer to
birds that have escaped from captivity as escapees.
To be fair, the Maquarie also lists escaper as the noun of escape. For
what it is worth, the latin basis for escape is ex cappa -> ex cloak.
Regards, Laurie.
On Saturday, August 2, 2003, at 06:08 PM, Paul Walbridge wrote:
Philip Veerman wrote;
By the way, the plural of escapee is escapees, DEFINATELY NOT
escapee's (which only makes sense followed by a noun, to mean some
property of the escapee). Also by usual grammar, one who escapes
should be called an escaper (even if that word is not generally used).
The escapee is the one to whom an escape occurs, that is the prior
owner. If the bird is released, the bird is a releasee and the person
releasing it is a releaser.
Philip
Thanks Philip, for your usual interesting discourse on this forum,
one LITTLE bone to point out though. Whilst on the subject of
grammar & YOU are making a point here, shouldn't one say 'DEFINITELY
NOT' escapees. Cheers, not trying to be boring - Paul Walbridge.
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