Richard Braakman (2003-03-09 05:45:26 +0200) :
> Branden Robinson ended his part of the 2003 DPL debate with this
> message:
>
> I'd like everybody to make as informed a decision as they can
> when voting, and to please exercise their franchise. Only you
> can make the system work.
>
> At this point, various non-native English speakers may be left
> wondering,
> What's a franchise?
> Why does Branden think that mine needs exercise?
> Do I even HAVE a franchise?
> Is it big and hairy?
>
> To clear up the confusion, I did some research. According to
> Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) (the true geek's
> dictionary), "franchise" is derived from French "franc" or
> "franche", meaning free. That's certainly in the spirit of Debian.
> The dictionary also adds: See {Frank}.
As a French person, I might add that "franc" as an adjective, and
"franchise" as a noun also have the meaning of speaking one's
thoughts. It's an antonym for lying, and I have to observe that
"franc" in the meaning of "free" really does sound old-fashioned.
It can also mean clear-cut, when speaking about taking a position,
or speaking about a border (as opposed to "blurred" or "fuzzy", for
instance).
Of course, as a French person, I have no clue whether this was the
meaning that Branden intended to convey by his remark :-)
Roland.
--
Roland Mas
Mou ichido ! Hayaku ! Ookii koede !
-- Atsuko Sasaki