The OED guesses correctly (WAS) Re: TURNDUN results

[Elliott A Moreton]

> >POINTS 5 = Judith 2, MyS 1, + 2 for guessing the right answer.  (The
> >OED always guesses the right answer.)
> >
>    But... but... but that's *CHEATING*!  The
> rest of us can't check the dictionary, why
> should the OED get to check the dictionary?
> 
> EZ

Us humans are barred not only from using the dictionary, but from 
searching the web, consulting an encyclopedia, asking a philologist, or 
doing anything else uncricket.  I think the correct generalization here 
is that you can't use *someone else's* knowledge.  The OED is relying on 
its own resources, quite properly.

If the OED can be reproached for anything, it is for failing to 
flag the word as known when the word was first proposed.  But we have to 
allow that if we want the OED to play with us at all.

em