(urth) This week in Google alerts: story with Gaiman.

[Andrew Mason]

:Gerry Quinn wrote:

> I read that too.  My first thought was that it was not English, because
> English is clearly referenced by Thea in her speech about "when the damn men
> went to Verthandi".  In the ancient language of the dawn men, "Present"
> means both "Now" and "The Gift".  She is baffled as to how anyone could use
> a language so confusing.

Actually it's not really surprising; the meanings are linked. A gift
is something that is presented to you; and 'now' is the present
moment, the moment that is presented to me as I speak.