Well, the word 'tortilla' is foreign... How then would you say "I would like a corn tortilla rather than a flour one to make my enchiladas for dinner"? There is no direct translation of what a tortilla or enchilada is, but wouldn't you agree that those two Mexican origin words are common enough in America to be valid words in Scrabble? Or even "taco" or "salsa"? Or should we take out about half of our vocabulary because the words are of foreign origin?
I suppose I should speak as one who plays in sanctioned tournaments... basically the "Official Scrabble Player's Dictionary" is a collection of words across several English dictionaries... last I heard, 5 dictionaries were looked at (M-W's 3rd edition unabridged collegiate is one I think)... and if a word is in 2 of those dictionaries and conform to the rules (no proper nouns, foreign words, abbreviations, etc...), it makes it into the OSPD. The OSPD takes out words deemed 'offensive' for the sake of school and family play. On the subject of foreign words, you have to take into account words that have recently had foreign origin but have made it into our vocabulary in usage: tortilla, salsa, taco. Also take into account words like jalap (a Mexican plant)... we don't have a translation for what a jalap is, it is a type of plant found in Mexico. If you think we accept 'si' because it is foreign, it is not because it has a definition as 'the seventh tone of the musical scale'... as a musician myself, notes of the solfeggio scale are also valid...
Now, I do play in tournaments and yes, I can reel off lists of words, and yes, some of them I have no idea what the definition is although I try to look up the words that are new to me when i get a chance. Let's just say it's a different 'type' of scrabble where the playing field is leveled by creating a dictionary that would act as an indisputable judge of whether a word is valid or not... well, in tournaments something like that is needed otherwise the tourneys would take forever trying to look up words and argue on their validity. Besides, as long as all players agree on a dictionary, what's the deal? In ANY dictionary there will be disputes as to validity of words... why not use the OSPD? I am glad I became a tournament player two years ago; I have won over $3000 in tournaments because I study those 'lists' of words.
Being called an anally-retentive boring bastard... and a moron.... thanks friend... however, yes, scrabble is a GAME. Games are designed for a purpose... so that someone will win. If I can use these lists of words in my head to help me and if I can know the validity of those words without being able to define some of them, and that helps me win the game, what's wrong with that? I have fun playing, I like winning, I learn by losing, I am not boring, I am not a bastard, I have a life, I win money in tournaments, and I am gracious win or lose, ask anyone who's played me in tournaments or casual play. Please think about things before you call people anally retentive boring bastards or morons. God Bless you, and just have FUN playing the game, whoever you play it with.
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Well, the word 'tortilla' is foreign... How then would you say "I would like a corn tortilla rather than a flour one to make my enchiladas for dinner"? There is no direct translation of what a tortilla or enchilada is, but wouldn't you agree that those two Mexican origin words are common enough in America to be valid words in Scrabble? Or even "taco" or "salsa"? Or should we take out about half of our vocabulary because the words are of foreign origin?
I suppose I should speak as one who plays in sanctioned tournaments... basically the "Official Scrabble Player's Dictionary" is a collection of words across several English dictionaries... last I heard, 5 dictionaries were looked at (M-W's 3rd edition unabridged collegiate is one I think)... and if a word is in 2 of those dictionaries and conform to the rules (no proper nouns, foreign words, abbreviations, etc...), it makes it into the OSPD. The OSPD takes out words deemed 'offensive' for the sake of school and family play. On the subject of foreign words, you have to take into account words that have recently had foreign origin but have made it into our vocabulary in usage: tortilla, salsa, taco. Also take into account words like jalap (a Mexican plant)... we don't have a translation for what a jalap is, it is a type of plant found in Mexico. If you think we accept 'si' because it is foreign, it is not because it has a definition as 'the seventh tone of the musical scale'... as a musician myself, notes of the solfeggio scale are also valid... Now, I do play in tournaments and yes, I can reel off lists of words, and yes, some of them I have no idea what the definition is although I try to look up the words that are new to me when i get a chance. Let's just say it's a different 'type' of scrabble where the playing field is leveled by creating a dictionary that would act as an indisputable judge of whether a word is valid or not... well, in tournaments something like that is needed otherwise the tourneys would take forever trying to look up words and argue on their validity. Besides, as long as all players agree on a dictionary, what's the deal? In ANY dictionary there will be disputes as to validity of words... why not use the OSPD? I am glad I became a tournament player two years ago; I have won over $3000 in tournaments because I study those 'lists' of words. Being called an anally-retentive boring bastard... and a moron .... thanks friend... however, yes, scrabble is a GAME. Games are designed for a purpose... so that someone will win. If I can use these lists of words in my head to help me and if I can know the validity of those words without being able to define some of them, and that helps me win the game, what's wrong with that? I have fun playing, I like winning, I learn by losing, I am not boring, I am not a bastard, I have a life, I win money in tournaments, and I am gracious win or lose, ask anyone who's played me in tournaments or casual play. Please think about things before you call people anally retentive boring bastards or morons. God Bless you, and just have FUN playing the game, whoever you play it with.