Childrens' book philosophy 1: Pippi Longstocking on philosophy of language

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[Pippi announces that she has made up a brand new word: "squeazle."]

"Squeazle," repeated Tommy. "What does it mean?"

"I only wish I knew," said Pippi. "All I know is that it doesn't mean a vacuum cleaner."

Tommy and Annika thought for a moment. At last Annika said, "But if you don't know what it means, it's not much use, is it?"

"No, that's just what annoys me," said Pippi.

"I wonder who first decided what words should mean," said Tommy.

"A lot of old professors, I suppose," said Pippi.

          - A. Lindgren, "Pippi in the South Seas"

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