The discussion centers on the semantic relationship between the words "write" and "impute," highlighting a gap in explanations provided by Lewis & Short and Etymonline. The Latin origins of both terms are explored, with "ascribere" meaning "to write in" and "imputare" suggesting a figurative attribution. The conversation notes that while both words derive from Latin roots, their meanings have diverged in English. In German, however, the terms remain closely related, with "schreiben" for write and "zuschreiben" for impute, indicating a clearer connection. The discussion suggests that the English language's ambiguity around the infinitive "to" may obscure the original dual meaning present in the Latin and German forms. The act of writing a name alongside a quote or letter is presented as an example of how writing can imply attribution.
