I just came across Jack London using "orientate". No longer will I complain about it.

I have been wondering for a number of years now if anyone can tell me about the personality, especially the ego of the linguist Mario Pei. When I was in university in the late '60"s I bought a copy of his "Languages In War And Peace" which I believe he dedicated to himself ("MIHI CREDENTI" was in the front of it). I also noticed that some of his footnotes in the major languages he was describing were almost as lengthy as what was on the page above. I have often wondered if he was as conceited a man as he came across in that particular book. Anyone know?