I have enjoyed reading Bob Coyne’s article and work-in-progress, entitled: “
S.W. Erdnase and W.E. Sanders — Textual Analysis” (
http://www.cs.columbia.edu/~coyne/erdna ... guage.html) (until very recently, entitled, “
S.W. Erdnase and W.E. Sanders — Linguistic Analysis”) I find the case that Bob makes for S.W. Erdnase being a pseudonym for E. S. Sanders to be a persuasive. In addition to the perfect anagram, there is a plethora of evidence Bob advances in support of his position, as a review of the article will reveal, but my comment here will be limited to linguistic evidence. In other words, evidence emerging from a comparison of the respective word choices in the writings of Sanders and “Erdnase.”
Below, I have set forth below, 42 of the approximately 250 linguistic comparisons (a/k/a examples) that Bob and various others whom he credits have gleaned from the writings of Erdnase and Sanders. I selected this subset of 42 based on some rather strict ground rules I set for myself: (1) I have only cited examples comprised of two or more words; (2) the words must be identical, or in the rare instances where the words are not identical, they vary primarily only in tense or number (e.g. “make good” versus “made good” or “preclude the possibility of” versus “precludes the possibility of”). Or, in some instances, in between the identical words, there is one (and only one) intervening word (e.g. “quite equal” versus “quite of equal” or, “particularly adapted” versus “particularly well adapted”). But in almost all of the examples I cite, the combinations of words are literally word-for-word identical; (3) I have omitted what I deemed to be
extremely common word combinations (although, to be even-handed, at least some of the phrases I’ve included are arguably not
extremely uncommon); and (4) I have editorialized very sparingly – only discretionarily in a few select instances – as I want the examples largely to speak for themselves, so that others may evaluate for themselves.
My purpose in doing this is to show the basis of my personal opinion that there’s a strong case for Sanders and Erdnase being one and the same. As I noted, my opinion is not exclusively based on the linguistics, but rather, the linguistics in combination with other evidence. But I will not be discussing any evidence other than linguistic here. As can be seen from the 42 comparative examples I’ve sifted out from Bob’s article, there is an uncanny similarity, indeed identicality, in the verbiage and phrasing running through the writings of Sanders and Erdnase – I believe more than can be accounted for by mere coincidence. The 42 examples being cited here were interspersed throughout Bob’s article, in different places, under various sub-headings. My feeling was that if these examples were all grouped together in one place and reviewed consecutively, it would be very striking, and the examples would then have their optimal impact as evidence supporting Sanders as a candidate.
In my opinion, when the linguistic evidence (particularly that which is cited here) is coupled with other evidence cited by Bob Coyne and others, there is reasonable support for Bob’s (at least implicit) position that the case for Sanders is “compelling,” even if not dispositive. I should add that, in citing only a portion of the linguistic examples from the article, in no way do I mean to imply that the remaining examples cited in the article are not relevant or persuasive. Again, as I mentioned, I set out some strict and narrow criteria that I am following, and I have done so in order to shine a bright spotlight on the strength of the case for Sanders. I have omitted volume and page citations, as those can be found in the article.
So, without more, here are the linguistic comparisons/examples I’ve excerpted from the article Judge for yourself:
Erdnase: we shall describe several processes that MAY BE EMPLOYED ADVANTAGEOUSLY UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
Sanders: Such shafts are particularly well adapted to firm ground, but they MAY BE EMPLOYED ADVANTAGEOUSLY UNDER ALL CONDITIONS, EXCEPT WHERE ...
Erdnase: he coolly proposes to "MAKE GOOD" by transforming the wrong card
Sanders: Has "MADE GOOD" at the bar, where he shines
Erdnase: A CAREFUL PERUSAL OF THE FOLLOWING
Sanders: A PERUSAL OF THE FOLLOWING
Erdnase: AS IT IS UTTERLY IMPOSSIBLE for me to see at all
Sanders: AS IT IS UTTERLY IMPOSSIBLE to replace the missing papers...
Erdnase: so as to PRECLUDE THE POSSIBILITY OF the schemer being discovered with the goods on him.
Sanders: the slope of the vein (21 degrees) PRECLUDES THE POSSIBILITY OF the tripod support being used...
Erdnase: The thumb movement is IDENTICALLY THE SAME AS IN the true deal [p55]
Sanders: when set the machine is operated in IDENTICALLY THE SAME WAY AS IN sinking or...
(*Note, this is a curious redundancy that “both” writers used)
Erdnase: it is QUITE EQUAL to the hand shuffle as a blind
Sanders: and the sets nearly or QUITE of EQUAL size.
(Note: Again, odd phraseology. Just as one is either pregnant or not, as opposed to “quite pregnant,” things are either equal or they are not. The word “quite” in the above context is superfluous.)
Erdnase: We give the FACTS AND CONDITIONS of our subject as we find them
Sanders: is so exact in its fidelity to the topographical features of the region and to geographical FACTS AND CONDITIONS
(*Note: I’ve frequently seen the words “facts and circumstances” used in combination, but not so as to “facts and conditions”)
Erdnase: can be accomplished to ANY CONSIDERABLE extent
Erdnase: all men who play for ANY CONSIDERABLE stakes are looking for the best
Sanders: is not in itself sufficient to sustain ANY CONSIDERABLE thrust without a tendency ....
Sanders: the discovery had brought together ANY CONSIDERABLE number of persons
Erdnase: if requested to determine from what single artifice THE GREATEST ADVANTAGE is derived we would unhesitatingly decide...
Sanders: the plan above described may be of THE GREATEST ADVANTAGE in blocking-out the ores...
Erdnase: THE MOST PERFECT shift ever devised
Sanders: One side or face, therefore, is selected — THE MOST PERFECT and even one
(Note: This is notable because if something is described as “perfect,” particularly by a competent writer, the word perfect would not be modified by an adverb such as “most” or “least.” Perfect is perfect.)
Erdnase: The latter position is AN EXCELLENT ONE
Sanders: this joint is without doubt AN EXCELLENT ONE
Erdnase: A VARIED EXPERIENCE has impressed us with the belief that all men...
Sanders: From the winter of '88 until the fall of '90 a somewhat VARIED EXPERIENCE as expert in twine manufacture
Erdnase: knowledge was acquired at the usual EXCESSIVE COST to the uninitiated.
Sanders: because it does away with the ponderous and EXCESSIVELY COSTLY ...
Erdnase: we shall describe several processes that MAY BE EMPLOYED ADVANTAGEOUSLY UNDER SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES.
Sanders: Such shafts are particularly well adapted to firm ground, but they MAY BE EMPLOYED ADVANTAGEOUSLY UNDER ALL CONDITIONS, EXCEPT WHERE ...
Erdnase: shift that MAY BE EMPLOYED WITH the GREATEST probability of success [p99]
Sanders: and it MAY BE EMPLOYED WITH GREAT benefit
Erdnase: A third way, and the most GENERALLY EMPLOYED, is for
Sanders: now so GENERALLY EMPLOYED among the metal mines
Erdnase: THERE WOULD BE LITTLE ADVANTAGE derived from clever shuffling, WERE the order to be subsequently disturbed in cutting [p39]
Sanders: THERE CAN BE LITTLE ADVANTAGE to the profession at large IF the discussion as to the best shape for a shaft is to be...
Erdnase: The methods described can BE SUCCESSFULLY WORKED with as many as eight or ten cards
Sanders: from the deposits too small to BE SUCCESSFULLY WORKED in a commercial way
Erdnase: To show THE EASE WITH WHICH the cards travel I shall
Sanders: and THE EASE WITH WHICH it may be manipulated
Erdnase: The top palm can be made with the right hand IN MUCH THE SAME MANNER
Erdnase: right hand packet again on top IN MUCH THE SAME MANNER.
Sanders: near the center of the set IN MUCH THE SAME MANNER as are located the end posts or plates.
Erdnase: It can be ACCOMPLISHED IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER:
Sanders: the hole is now charged which is ACCOMPLISHED IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER d,...
Erdnase: This method of blind cutting is PARTICULARLY ADAPTED for working in with the blind riffle
Sanders: Such shafts are PARTICULARLY WELL ADAPTED to firm ground
Erdnase: but he can pick up any card or group of cards in the order BEST SUITED TO his design
Sanders: come together from the six directions in a manner BEST SUITED TO the needs of the occasion.
Erdnase: THE USUAL PRACTICE is to deal from the bottom.
Sanders: THE USUAL PRACTICE in the West being for each
Sanders: THE USUAL PRACTICE being to make the inner faces of the station sets aline [sic] with those of...
Erdnase: bring it down IN THE USUAL WAY of shuffling on
Sanders: are hung IN THE USUAL WAY by lag-screws
Erdnase: card with the thumb IN THE USUAL MANNER
Sanders: to afford secure support to the sets by blocking and wedging IN THE USUAL MANNER.
Erdnase: it leaves the top and bottom cards IN THE SAME RELATIVE POSITION
Sanders: both being placed IN THE SAME RELATIVE POSITION within the joint
Erdnase: it is generally dealt ON THE SQUARE in gambling rooms that are run openly
Sanders: Is not the western game I yearn to see played ON THE SQUARE,
Erdnase: These examples of CULLING, if FAIRLY WELL executed.
Sanders: FAIRLY WELL filled with data CULLED in a measure from geologic reports...
Erdnase: This example MIGHT WELL BE TERMED a fancy cull [p82]
Sanders: from the extraction of ores with what MIGHT BE TERMED open blocks...
Sanders: by what MIGHT BE TERMED an enclosing and protecting shield
Erdnase: His PURPOSE in that respect IS SUFFICIENTLY ANSWERED by keeping the desired cards...
Sanders: the required information ... IS SUFFICIENTLY ANSWERED in and by the workings of adjoining property
Erdnase: it has been my VERY GREAT GOOD FORTUNE to discover...
Sanders: we know the VERY GREAT AND GOOD FORTUNE we had in studying under you
(*Note: I find this to be an extraordinarily unique and idiosyncratic phraseology)
Erdnase: The first shift described is executed with both hands and is A GREAT FAVORITE.
Erdnase: This is A GREAT FAVORITE for terminating certain tricks
Sanders: who had been a fellow-cadet with him at West Point and A GREAT FAVORITE there
Erdnase: Faro cards, USED IN CONNECTION WITH a certain form of "brace" box, are treated in this manner.
Sanders: Waste filling is frequently USED IN CONNECTION WITH and as adjunct to the various systems of timbering
Erdnase: knowing players require NOTHING MORE THAN a bare suspicion of skill to
Sanders: a method of timbering ... is NOTHING MORE THAN the crib of the flat deposits
Erdnase: and the reputation is liable to precede him in MANY ANOTHER.
Sanders: among files containing MANY ANOTHER mining report that is less picturesque, less unique.
Sanders: as sweet and handsome as MANY ANOTHER
(*Note: I don’t believe I have heretofore encountered the expression “many another”)
Erdnase: IT IS WELL TO insist that but one card must be moved at a time.
Sanders: IT IS WELL TO leave the tops undisturbed
Sanders: in this classification IT IS WELL TO assume as of the normal type those rocks that possess...
Erdnase: but we regret the truth of the confession that ONCE UPON A TIME we were, and we marveled greatly and also sorrowed, over a continuous and very protracted run of hard luck
Sanders: ONCE UPON A TIME, as all good fairy tales begin, callow, bashful and hopeful youths met together
Erdnase: The deck SO ARRANGED makes every thirteenth card the same value [p179]
Sanders: shafts are of two kinds, one being SO ARRANGED that the ore cars
Erdnase: IT IS NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT I do not know which cards were selected
Sanders: IT IS NEEDLESS TO SAY THAT exactness in the fitting together...
Erdnase: AND AT THE SAME TIME sliding pack outwards and to the right
Sanders: AND AT THE SAME TIME to furnish an opening between the plates and the foot of the shield