do you think that will help them know the difference between astrology and astronomy? lol.

>>(1) astrology and astronomy are two very different words, meaning two very different disciplines. If they're used incorrectly I think it's the fault of the author(s) -- maybe even the state legislators in South Dakota.

(2) and "supercede" is an improper spelling - even if OED does show it as an alternate spelling. Because the word has no relationship to "cede-ing" [giving over] anything, thus cede is not a part of the word. The word is "supersede:" to lead, or to take the place of something which is now out of date.<<

Hmm, kinda goes to vernacular, yes? Anyway, here’s how the Online Etymology Dictionary treats the subject:

astrology:
late 14c., from L. astrologia "astronomy," from Gk. astrologia "telling of the stars," from astron "star" (see astro) + -logia "treating of," comb. form of logon "one who speaks (in a certain manner)." Originally identical with astronomy, it had also a special sense of "practical astronomy, astronomy applied to prediction of events." This was divided into natural astrology "the calculation and foretelling of natural phenomenon" (tides, eclipses, etc.), and judicial astrology "the art of judging occult influences of stars on human affairs" (also known as stromancy, 1650s). Differentiation between astrology and astronomy began late 1400s and by 17c. this word was limited to "reading influences of the stars and their effects on human destiny." Astrological is recorded from 1590s. [bolded is mine]

As I said, “...conceit of an obsolete.”

Hard to second-guess the authority of the OED – notwithstanding... Were it otherwise, the OED could easily state that supercede is an improper spelling of supersede – rather than legitimizing it as an alternate spelling.

Conceit has its perks and we do cling to our druthers, do we not?

>>Conceit has its perks...<<

Hmmm..., "perks"?—or ‘perqs’? :(

Yep, them too. How many layers of meaning can we fit in 4 words? (One thing I deeply appreciate about your posts is how you make a few words do a lot of work (I leave the inversion as an exercise for the reader))

The 'lurker' is ever gentle on my mind...