Re: Digest Number 372

[pycyn@aol.com]

We sure can make a compound with the computer word. But we can also (these 
things weren't called metaphors exactly for nothing in the old days) just the 
word for virus and -- for the somnambulent -- throw in a "figurative use" tag 
(pe'a-po'a on my ancient list). As for computer viruses not being viruses, 
remember that viruses are scarcely more than code themselves -- a DNA stand 
with minor auxiliaries, and arguably not organisms at all.
pc