The language we use today is a bastardization of how language was. Every complaint you make about people using language wrong someone has made about the language you are using. And they complained first
I'm gonna get the shit downvoted out of me for this, but the problem with this idea is that insular communities tend to redefine words and then expect everyone outside their bubble to know their new definition. Doing so also robs the language of a word that served a specific purpose, such as in the case of the word "literally."
And then the speakers from insular communities get told to fuck off with their special definitions, or they're so persistent that the new definition catches on. Either way, problem solved.
The word "literally" still serves its old purpose just fine, along with the new one.
If it's only morons that use it "wrong", then it does indeed become right, but still gains the added subtext of "by the way I'm also a moron"
And I'm still gonna bitch about it if they've reduced the usefulness of a word due to habitual misuse!
Well. Sort of.
Some terminology is better defined by how the relevant experts use it. It's singular and precise definition is required for any useful dialogue. If 99% of people call a kidney a liver but doctors call it a kidney its a kidney.
Some terminology evolves and is used differently by different groups. Sometimes the more illiterate group flattens the language by removing nuance or even entirely removing a concept from a language with no replacement. Arguably both definitions may be common usage but one is worse and using it means you are.
Some word usage just becomes so common everyone, even generational gaps understand it. If you talk to an 18 or a 65 year old and say the word blowjob, they both know what you mean, yet they aren't out there blowing on dicks or trying to force air up urethras... Hopefully...
So I should accept people saying "could care less" when they mean the exact opposite? Not sure I can do that.
No, you should not.
Illiteracy isn't a valid excuse.
I'll die on that hill alongside 'on accident'.
Idioms don't have to (and often don't) make sense. How do you feel about "head over heels"?
Interesting - Wiktionary says that the phrase was originally "heels over head", which makes sense when conveying the sense of tumbling over. I guess that became corrupted, resulting in "head over heels". Maybe I should start saying "heels over head" then.
For all intensive purposes, the meaning of words matters less than how we use it. Irregardless of how we decimate it's meaning, so long as we get the point across there is no need to nip it in the butt. Most people could care less.
My pet peeve is 'loose' being used when 'lose' is intended. It's so common now it might as well be the new spelling but I will die on this hill. I've had people comment in response to me correcting someone like I'm being ridiculous. Feels like I'm taking crazy pills!
I seen that all the time.
What if I told you memes were supposed to be funny rather than excusing ignorance?
ok here’s three examples of exactly what the meme is referring to:
“Awful” originally meant “awe-inspiring” or “full of awe,” but frequent use to mean “very bad” eventually became the standard modern meaning.
“Peruse” traditionally meant “to read carefully,” but common casual use to mean “to skim or browse” has become widespread enough that dictionaries now record both senses.
“Nimrod” started as the name of a skilled biblical hunter, but repeated ironic use as an insult (for example, in cartoons... “Bugs Bunny”) led to its accepted modern sense of “fool” or “idiot.”
Language changes. Words mean what we say they mean since its all made up anyway.
This is real and actually quite interesting to look at the history of. For example, the word "Decimate" IIRC was originally defined as killing one for every ten people of a group of people. Now, its used as a term for high impact destruction.
My usual example is manufacture — to make by hand, but it's more commonly used now to mean machine manufactured and made by hand is called handmade.
That's a good one. In school they had me memorize a novel of Latin root words, which is where things can get frustrating. You take a word and piece together the meaning, only to find out the definition has changed so drastically over the years that the root words are now nonsense. Both of our examples fit this description.
I've allready to rite we'll, but than my conscious sad, “For get the rules,” so I let my lose ideals led me. I’m two stubborn to accept that I should of staid in school.
My two are Literally, and Crescendo. I really hate it when they are used wrong, and now the wrong answers are considered acceptable. That means Literally actually holds no meaning at all, and by changing the definition of Crescendo, the last 500 years of Western Music Theory have been changed by people who have no understanding of music at all.
I was not aware of the crescendo one and looked it up. Imagine my surprise learning this dates back at least 100 years ago with the Great Gatsby (have not read it). I am now irrationaly angry that I'm learning about this way too late to complain about it.
Languages are living things. And living things always change. Note the Great English Vowel Change. Even the Norwegian my Grandfather spoke and that I learned from him was virtually a dead language that modern Norwegians stopped using in the 1850s. And the English spoken in the UK is different than the American English I speak. Spanish spoken in Spain isn't the same as someone from Mexico speaks.
And when conversing with someone, (in the language of your choice), the words you choose to use are defined by the context you use them in. Words can have multiple meanings, but it's the context and tone clarifies those meanings. Consider all the meanings of the single word 'fuck'.
But problems start with written words. And many people have poor written communication skills. It can be hard to parse meaning from poorly written words because there is little context and tone that comes through with a typed sentence.
We are all just baying at the moon like any pack. And hoping some understands us.
What if I told you that if everyone uses a word the “wrong” way, in slightly different ways, it’s wrong?
"Everyone" meaning the social media someone and their social set get their info and cues from, not the rest of the people around them.
I think we should bring back philosohoraptor - Morpheus seems wrong for this meme
Descriptive ~~language~~ grammar >> prescriptive ~~language~~ grammar
English is confusing enough. For the sake of future generation I'll correct you for using litterally like figuratively even if I'm the last person on earth that uses it correctly.
We should probably resist hyper simplifying language, but whatever, I guess.
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A collection of some classic Lemmy memes for your enjoyment
