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Well, "beg the question" is a translation from latin - petitio principii - so pedants could say it isn't from your native language (unless you meant latin). L
by kbutler 9y ago
Well, "beg the question" is a translation from latin - petitio principii - so pedants could say it isn't from your native language (unless you meant latin).
Language evolves - things that start out as misunderstandings or errors become informal usage, then dominant usage, then the correct way.
Others stay misunderstandings or errors.
It pays to learn the correct way so you sound educated as you speak, and so other educated people don't automatically discount what you say, but there's little benefit in attempting to correct others.
That said, mis-using erudite words or phrases spoils the effect.
- Dylan16807 9y agoYou are allowed to use the same words as an idiom while not using that idiom. The words make sense as a non-idiom. It is not a misuse to do this.
- porkloin 9y ago>Language evolves - things that start out as misunderstandings or errors become informal usage, then dominant usage, then the correct way. Yes, language does evolve. For example, American English has evolved in such a way that "beg the question" now means "raise the question" to the vast majority of people in the year 2017. Forgive me, but I think you're in the minority of people who bristle at the contemporary usage of this phrase, which makes you come off as incredibly pedantic.
- kbutler 9y agoPlease note that I responded to the "by what authority" comment, not the "begs the question" comment... The reason to care about official meanings is to avoid sounding uneducated. I literally could care less about "begs the question". The formal use can be depreciated - we're not likely to staunch that floe. But irregardless of my feelings, people who flaunt the official meaning and right "begs the question" in the increasingly common usage have the wrong affect - they sound like they're putting on heirs - "raises" or "brings up" each sound more naturist. (Yes, that was fun. I hope you like it, too!)
- porkloin 9y agoTop notch response! :)
- Sohcahtoa82 9y ago> Language evolves - things that start out as misunderstandings or errors become informal usage, then dominant usage, then the correct way. Kind of like how "I could care less" actually means you don't care at all, despite the literal interpretation of the sentence meaning that you're capable of caring less, which means you DO care.