Annapolis Capital Punishment

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I received four comments about my use or perhaps misuse of the term hung instead of hanged while referring to Guy Fawkes in my Friday morning broadcast. Two were anonymous and two I believe were pseudonymous. (Dear me--is that word? I do so hope...)

Someone named Seeba Vrang (supposedly) wrote, "I am Hung, but if I were to be killed in a gallows I would have been hanged."  Okay Ms Vrang--thanks for letting it hang. A Brian Beitz (?) wrote  "hey english Nazi, the word is hanged, not hung--YOU LOSE".  Okay Beitz--I lose? But you are...Reitz?

Well, I went to the online dictionaries and it's not quite clear. While it appears that hanged is proper usage, this does not necessarly mean that hung is wrong.  See the final part of the detailed definition from Merriam Webster:

usage For both transitive and intransitive senses 1b the past and past participle hung, as well as hanged, is standard. Hanged is most appropriate for official executions hanged, cut down whilst still alive…and his bowels torn out — Louis Allen> but hung is also used hung — Peter Quennell>. Hung is more appropriate for less formal hangings hung in effigy — Ronald Reagan>.

I also tried to look it up in my copy of "The Transitive Vampire" but I swear, I cannot figure out that book.  Anyone else wish to give it a try? Either way, anonymous comments are one of my hangups with this blogging thing.