antivenin vs antivenom

Nov 16, 2009 08:10

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Comments 8

kribu November 16 2009, 13:21:35 UTC
That's definitely an interesting note, and not one I've heard of before - of course, my knowledge of antivenom mainly comes from wikipedia, which says that antivenom in general is made the way you describe antivenin.

I noticed that Wikipedia also has this to say: "The name antivenin comes from the French word venin, meaning venom, and historically antivenin was predominant around the world; however, this usage is archaic in English. In 1981, the World Health Organization decided that the preferred terminology in the English language would be "venom" and "antivenom" rather than "venin/antivenin" or "venen/antivenene"."

Now, I know better than to trust wikipedia in all matters, but at the very least this should indicate that using "antivenom" instead of "antivenin" cannot be wrong in any case, if "antivenin" as a term is considered outdated.

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shefa November 16 2009, 15:11:39 UTC
Ooh, interesting.

When I was writing "In Dreams," Ordinary_magic did a Britpick and beta pass, and said that the correct term in my story was "anti-venin." She's a biochemistry goddess, but I don't remember the reasoning. I should check with her about that. Are you a biochemistry goddess, too? Love the expertise on the flist... it's remarkably, really. Can you imagine what we could do with the combined expertise around here? :)

*and I'm undoubtedly guilty of correcting same on validation passes... eep. But there you have the reasons! Shall follow-up! :)

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morethansirius November 16 2009, 15:39:44 UTC
Does that mean one could harvest antivenin from Mr. Weasley? That would be cool.

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junewilliams7 November 16 2009, 22:03:10 UTC
yeah, that would be way cool! wait... wait... ack! it's a plot bunny! nooooo!!!

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morethansirius November 16 2009, 22:58:23 UTC
Go plot bunny! Snape and Arthur have worked together to harvest and store batches of antivenin anywhere they think it might be needed. That's why Arthur knows Severus has always been for the Order!

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dressagegrrrl November 16 2009, 19:08:45 UTC

... )

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writermerrin November 17 2009, 03:06:14 UTC
Wow! All I knew is that my spellcheck changed the one to the other so I let it go. That is fascinating.

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