5 ms·
The problem is 'begs the question' is not an intuitive phrase to describe the formal definition, so we're going to be stuck with this correction forever. At th
by jcims 7y ago
The problem is 'begs the question' is not an intuitive phrase to describe the formal definition, so we're going to be stuck with this correction forever.
At this point I feel it has only survived as a form of shibboleth.
- throwlaplace 7y ago>The problem is 'begs the question' is not an intuitive phrase to describe the formal definition it does if you look at the etymology; beg comes begging off i.e. asking for exemption from something. it's archaic at this point of course but still fairly intelligible in that use; "he begged off doing his chores".
- philwelch 7y agoYou’d think that, but we pedants managed to rescue the word “ironic” at one point.
- GauntletWizard 7y agoBut you've figuratively lost "literally".
- philwelch 7y agoThat's just highly advanced irony; using the word "literally" non-literally.