Grice and the Pavonicide

Speranza

Saki (HH Monroe) uses the creative ('generative') expression "pavonicide" in a story in which a country house guest shoots a peacock.

“Some hostesses, of course, will forgive anything, even unto pavonicide”

Saki’s character adds “is there such a word?”

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He has JUST used it. So there _is_ indeed such a word.

Grice: ""Is there such a word?" may be read to IMPLICATE -- but not say --, "as per "The" Dictionary". I never knew what DICTIONARY the Dictionary is supposed to be. Not the Colliers', I hope."

------------ This reminded Grice of his little dialogue with J. L. Austin (NOT his personal friend) compleat with Austin's rebuke:

--- The problem with you, Grice, is that you don't go through the dictionary as you should.
--- To be honest with you, I care a hoot about what the dictionary says.
--- And THAT, Grice, is your BIG mistake.