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"I hate when words drift in meaning" John McWhorter discusses this as an inevitability with language. (Indeed, he wrote a book with title / subtitle "Words on
by rgoulter 6y ago
"I hate when words drift in meaning"
John McWhorter discusses this as an inevitability with language.
(Indeed, he wrote a book with title / subtitle "Words on the Move: Why English Won't - and Can't - Sit Still (Like, Literally)").
He discusses various examples of this happening, both in political and non-political contexts. His suggestion is to just accept it, and to help communication remain clear by using new words once old words become too ambiguous to be useful.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmcqcyyR1Y0 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FmcqcyyR1Y0
- dandare 6y agoGood point. I wonder what would be the new names for * a political and social philosophy whose central tenets are tradition, organic society, hierarchy, authority, and property rights. * a political and moral philosophy based on liberty, consent of the governed and equality before the law. * an economic system characterised by private property and the recognition of property rights, capital accumulation, wage labor, voluntary exchange, a price system and competitive markets.