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This is a common figurative use of the word. The etymology comes from the Greek meaning "upon/on people", so nothing in the root connects the meaning to how som
by danschuller 4y ago
This is a common figurative use of the word. The etymology comes from the Greek meaning "upon/on people", so nothing in the root connects the meaning to how something develops or spreads.
- GameOfFrowns 4y agoThen why not call it a "pandemic"? Shortsighteness has become a global phenomenon with more than one local maximum, hasn't it?
- nicoburns 4y agoBecause it’s not a common figurative use of the word pandemic.
- watwut 4y agoEach pandemic is also epidemic. Pandemics are subset of epidemics. The word pandemic existing does not make the use of word epidemics incorrect. Also, pandemic is not normally used in non medical context while epidemics is frequently used that way and was for years. The journalist probably decided to use the common words in their common meaning instead of going for obscure usages.
- mdp2021 4y agoFrom the article: «East Asia has seen a stunning rise in the rate of short-sightedness».