The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1891-08-02

The Century Dicrionsry's Definition OF Oh
Word "Sheeney" Explained.

The Century Dictionary's Definition OF the
Word "Sheeney" Explained.
New York Herald
In it's issue to-day the American Hebrew
will contain letter from BENJAMIN f.
Smith. of the Century Dictionary. wherein
he endeavors to set that lexicon Alright in
the eyes of the Hebrews, who took offense
ct the definition given to the word "sheeny."
Mr.. Smiths letter is as follows:
My attention has been called to your recent
courteous criticism OF the Century Dictionary
for it's insertion and definition OF the word
"sheeney'-tO both of which you object. AS re
CARDS the insertion 1t seems clear that the bust
ness OF the photographer is to record the words
he finds in the language exactly as he finds them.
just as the naturalist must record the facts that
come under bis observation. That he 10 to be
held personally responsible for the meanings
that had been given to certain words, and must
omit them because some people may regard
them as offensive. is surely q new doctrine and
one fraught with absurdity. IL is of course true
that even the most complete existing diction-
aries do not attempt to include all the words Of
the Languages but the line Of exclusion, in any
case, is drawn not on photographed principles,
but solely with reference to the particular plan
which the editors of the book have laid down for
themselves. An ideally complete dictionary
would contain all established words of every
kind. The word in question was inserted in the
Century Dictionary simply because it Is In it's
class slang an old and wellestablished term of
frequent occurrence and seemed clearly to fall
within the scope OF the book.
As regards the definition given there is room
for discussion and difference of opinion will
merely say that IL expresses the view, reached
after consideration Of all the data that could be
collected. that the name was first used in gen.
eral sense (Which is still currenn and came TO be
specifically applied to Hebrews on account of
their popular land certainly often unjusp repu-
tatiOn for sharpness in bargaining QOr which,
again, the editors of the dictionary cannot be
held responsibility: this Is the obvious and the
only significance OF the "hence" which you criti-
else.
Your remark that the dictionary sanctions
the Objectionable use Of the word must have been
Vrl0d a IN I'm lVn1o nf fh0f fs n
scribed as "slang" and "oppr0brious." Indeed,
the function of q comprehensive dictionary is
not. except incidentally. to sanction" words of
any kind, but solely to record them and explain
how they are actually used. IL Is hardly neces
sary TO add that your assumption that no dis
tended Is entirely just BgSSXxTS ' E. SMITH NIT
The editorial says that photographer
should indicate the proper use of words.
Words should be eliminated that justify
some people using them as offensive cpl
thets to another. The use of the word
"sheeney" in the dictionary is not stated to
be oppr0brious; had it been. the American
Hebrew q feelings would have been modified,
although the definition of the word as "A
sharp fellow-hence jew" cannot be for
given. The dictionary makes it that Q Jew is
Jew. In this case the editorial says that
there would be few Christians In this
country-all would be jews" and then
quotes the Herald's editorial reply to Gold
win Smith last week.
The American Hebrew believes that tho
dictionary did not mean TO give an offen-
sive meaning to the word. and stamps as
absurd the statement that the jews of
America are up in arms against the work.
The editorial points out that there are too
many people ready to pick up any express
sions of opprobrium to heap upon the Jew.
and cautions the editor Of the dictionary
against sanctiOnIng words that will afford
such opportunities.