4 ms·

I really hate it when reporters use words incorrectly. "And make no mistake, the middle class has been ruined: Its wealth has been decimated, " ... They only

I really hate it when reporters use words incorrectly. "And make no mistake, the middle class has been ruined: Its wealth has been decimated, " ... They only lost 10% of their wealth? That's not so bad. Oh wait, they mean completely destroyed, not decimated.

LiteOn 15y ago
http://www.google.ca/search?q=decimated http://www.google.ca/search?q=decimated
jonnathanson 15y ago
The writer and history buff in me loves that you have pointed this out. But I think the word "decimate" decoupled from its original meaning sometime between the fall of the Roman Empire and today.
- njharman 15y ago
  As fellow history buff, I was fascinated to learn that decimation was used as recently as the 1930's. By Italy against Libyan tribesmen. But, I agree with you decimate has long had alternative meaning of "destroy almost completely"
  - jonnathanson 15y ago
    That is interesting. And it would make sense, given that 1930s Italy was run by a dictator who had a personal obsession with proclaiming himself the heir the Roman Empire. This is a fun tangent. And apologies to everyone else who's trying to stay on topic. This is why I love nested comment systems.
- wgren 15y ago
  I think this happened sometimes during the last 15 years. I was surprised when I came to the US and was exposed to Fox news, I was surprised that they were using the word incorrectly all the time. "The forces were decimated in a surprise attack..." If enough people use it that way, it becomes the correct usage, of course. It is how languages (d)evolve.
diogenescynic 15y ago
He should have clarified what he means by decimated, but in some ways the word choice is suited: 47 per cent of Americans can't raise $2000 in 30 days without selling an asset...with nearly one quarter of $100k-$150k households reporting they wouldn't be able to find $2000...Only the final one-fourth said they definitely could find a way to make the payment: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/17/could-you-come-up-with-20_n_837225.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/17/could-you-come-up-w... The statistics cited are from the Brookings Institute: http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/Programs/ES/BPEA/2011_spring_bpea_papers/2011_spring_bpea_conference_lusardi.pdf http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/Programs/ES/BPEA/2011...

LiteOn 15y ago

http://www.google.ca/search?q=decimated http://www.google.ca/search?q=decimated

jonnathanson 15y ago

The writer and history buff in me loves that you have pointed this out. But I think the word "decimate" decoupled from its original meaning sometime between the fall of the Roman Empire and today.

njharman 15y ago
As fellow history buff, I was fascinated to learn that decimation was used as recently as the 1930's. By Italy against Libyan tribesmen. But, I agree with you decimate has long had alternative meaning of "destroy almost completely"
- jonnathanson 15y ago
  That is interesting. And it would make sense, given that 1930s Italy was run by a dictator who had a personal obsession with proclaiming himself the heir the Roman Empire. This is a fun tangent. And apologies to everyone else who's trying to stay on topic. This is why I love nested comment systems.
wgren 15y ago
I think this happened sometimes during the last 15 years. I was surprised when I came to the US and was exposed to Fox news, I was surprised that they were using the word incorrectly all the time. "The forces were decimated in a surprise attack..." If enough people use it that way, it becomes the correct usage, of course. It is how languages (d)evolve.

diogenescynic 15y ago

He should have clarified what he means by decimated, but in some ways the word choice is suited: 47 per cent of Americans can't raise $2000 in 30 days without selling an asset...with nearly one quarter of $100k-$150k households reporting they wouldn't be able to find $2000...Only the final one-fourth said they definitely could find a way to make the payment: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/17/could-you-come-up-with-20_n_837225.html http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/03/17/could-you-come-up-w... The statistics cited are from the Brookings Institute: http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/Programs/ES/BPEA/2011_spring_bpea_papers/2011_spring_bpea_conference_lusardi.pdf http://www.brookings.edu/~/media/Files/Programs/ES/BPEA/2011...