Phoebe wrote: << << my sone in lawe [stepson] >> >> << How can you tell when it means "step" son of a spouse, and when it means husband of your daughter? >> Without other evidence, we can't. But in the absence of it, it's important to keep in mind that "in-law" had a broader range of meanings than it does now. If we simply assume that the narrower, modern meaning was intended, we will often be wrong. By remaining alert to other possibilities, we're more likely to recognize as relevant the evidence necessary to draw the right conclusion. Gene Z. ************************************** See what's new at http://www.aol.com