Re: [PATCH] scsi_error: Fix language abuse.

From: Matthew Wilcox
Date: Sun Feb 10 2008 - 18:47:35 EST


On Sat, Feb 09, 2008 at 01:50:20PM +0000, Alan Cox wrote:
> On Fri, 08 Feb 2008 20:32:54 -0500 Douglas Gilbert <dougg@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
> > Alan Cox wrote:
> > > The word "illegal" has a precise dictionary meaning of "prohibited by
> > > law".
> >
> > Also "contrary to or forbidden by official rules, regulations, etc".
>
> The OED I have here doesn't seem to think so, however if the words are
> the ones used in the T10 documentation then I'm happy to drop the patch.

Not everyone believes in the OED's definitions. I prefer Chambers (in
general), which has the (online) definition:

illegal adj
1 against the law; not legal. Also called unlawful.
2 not authorized by law or by specific rules which apply.
ETYMOLOGY: 17c: from Latin illegalis.

I believe the second definition would apply here.

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