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St. Thomas Law Review

First Page

55

Document Type

Article

Abstract

To "settle" has a number of senses within the English language. For example, it can mean "to make a decision on; determine; decide," or "to come to a conclusion," as when children bring their disputes to their mother to settle.' It can mean "to agree upon (as a time, place, or plan); fix beforehand," as in to settle on a course of action. It can mean "to put in order; arrange," as in one must settle all his affairs before going away for the winter. It can mean "to pay; arrange payment of," as in one must also settle up all one's bills before going away for the winter. As lawyers, we frequently use the term to mean "to decide (a case) by arrangement between the parties" or "to give (property, a right, or sum) to by law." I usually spell the word describing a person engaging in these activities with an "o" before the "r," as in "settlor." There are other meanings, which many would put in a different category. We also may use "settle" to mean "to cause to take up residence in a place, especially a new country, town, or area," to "colonize," "to set in a fairly permanent position, place, or way of life," "to place in a desired or comfortable position; adjust," "to make... clear," "to cause to sink down," or figuratively, "to make quiet, calm, soothe." I usually spell the word describing a person engaging in these activities with an "e" before the "r," as in "settler." I cannot pretend, however, to make this spelling distinction with the noun; for the modem dictionary requires that "settlement" be spelled but one way.' "Myth" or its more erudite form "mythology" also has two senses. We may be referring to "a belief, opinion, or theory that is not based on fact or reality," so that "to mythologize" can mean to invent or to make up stories that are false. In this sense, to mythologize may appear to deceive. On the other hand, we may be referring to "a legend or story, usually one that attempts to account for something in nature. Most myths express a religious belief of a people and are of unknown origin." In this sense, to mythologize may be genuine; an attempt to explain. To "mythologize" may be to "construct" a myth or to "relate and explain" the myth from a critical perspective." Everglades Settlement is myth.

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