h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Hello? Sorry to disturb you...

But, why did you change 'went gaga' by 'delighted'?

Delighted is so much 'less'... The community was not just delighted. For the Chemists it was as if they had witnessed a miracle. It was bombastic. They 'went gaga' seems to me to be the appropriate description of what happened then.

Thanks,

HELL

Good question! Being the subed, I assume that the change has been made in-house. Supposedly because "going ga-ga" also could be interpreted as getting very angry. But I am sure your remark will be looked at, the in-house team always keeps an eye on the discussions just after launching entries on the front page.

Having said that, this is a very good entry! I nearly went ga-ga (as in delighted ) when I saw it. Subediting it was a pleasure!

Whoa thanks. And I guess that by context one could not interpret 'very angry' into the passage.

Anyways, thanks for answering and for the support.

Cheers,

HELL

Hi Hell,

Actually, I changed 'ga-ga' into 'delighted', but just because 'ga-ga' is probably not internationally understood to mean what it's taken to mean in the UK. On reflection, 'delighted' seems a little weak as well - how about astonished, dumbstruck or stupefied?

Any other countries out there in which 'ga-ga' is in common use - I could be wrong...

Dumbstruck or stupefied are excellent words, thanks.
(Astonished is probaly also too weak)

Thanks also for taking the time to look at that matter,

HELL

No problem - I'll go for 'dumbstruck', I think.

Thanks Chris, you're so nice.



HELL

Well, thank you.

Chris,
Thanks for the international sensitivity. I wonder though if you considered changing 'went gaga' to 'were agog".
It is a good English word with one established meaning that probably comes pretty close to ga-ga. Much stronger than 'delighted' I think.

JAS (just a suggestion)