Just as a dictionary tells us how a word is used by "ordinary" people, it also offers
information as to how a word might have been used by "ordinary" people to
coin a new word or phrase.

I was trying to say that the term "dead reckoning" was coined not by
"ordinary people" but by specialists-- people who had a classical
education, and knew the meanings of "deduction" and "induction."

If you disagree, that's fine.

While it's my opinion that the word "deduced" has nothing to do with the
derivation of "dead reckoning".....

We agree on that.

vince norris