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It's funny (ironic?), but when I read "an amateur {insert occupation} has" I mentally replace "an amateur" with "a talented and passionate" For me, amateur ju
by busyant 2y ago
It's funny (ironic?), but when I read "an amateur {insert occupation} has"
I mentally replace "an amateur" with "a talented and passionate"
For me, amateur just doesn't mean the insult that it meant when I was a youngster.
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- rahimnathwani 2y agoThe word 'amateur' originates from the Latin word for 'lover'.
- zanellato19 2y agoThank you! I've been using this word in portuguese (amador) and its so _so_ clear in that language, even so, I hadn't realized. Amar -> Amador (the one who loves it). Quite clearly.
- bombcar 2y agoExactly, and "professional" means they do it for money.
- otherme123 2y agoThe point is that "amateur" means literally "lover" in latin. While "professional" means "for money" today, in latin it meant "to profess a vow to do it with high standards". For example, you can be a professional, but do things "pro bono" (for free or for public good) or "pro lucro" (for money).
- retrac 2y ago"Vocation" has undergone a similar shift; originally it meant a calling, or a summons.
- RandomThoughts3 2y agoIt still does.
- thrwaway1337 2y agoJust don't go looking for the etymology of "vanilla"
- Archelaos 2y ago"Doing something was a high standard" is still the main meaning of the word "professionell" in German. So someone can make something "unprofessionell" for money or "professionell" without payment. Another word of classical origin with a striking difference is the meaning of the word "pathetisch" in German, which means "(exaggeratedly) passionate", which corresponds more or less to the meaning of the Ancient Greek word "pathetikos".
- thaumasiotes 2y ago> The point is that "amateur" means literally "lover" in latin. It doesn't mean anything in Latin. It means "lover" in French. Possibly a version of French from before "love" changed to "aimer".
- echelon 2y agoBut amateur has taken on a negative connotation in the common vernacular. "Amateurish" or "amateurishly" feel damning and assertions about a certain absence of quality or attention to detail. Describing someone as a "total amateur" feels a bit like calling them a hack. This needs a separate word or concept.
- adamc 2y agoWe could try reclaiming the word.
- RandomThoughts3 2y agoDilletante already exists to mean someone who doesn’t do something with seriousness and amateur doesn’t carry the same connotation as amateurish anyway so you don’t really need a new word.
- Dilettante_ 2y agoNit: It's "Dilettante"
- idiotlogical 2y agoThe term 'nerd' needs to complete its rehabilitation like 'geek' has the last 20 years. It's the most concise term I can think of when describing someone who is enthusiastic, focused, and knowledgable on a subject. I think it's a badge of honor
- PsylentKnight 2y agoThere's "aficionado", though that feels a little pretentious
- cortesoft 2y agoI have never thought of it as an insult, just meaning they don't do it for money.
- kazinator 2y agoYeah but it's often intended as an insult. Especially as the adjective amateurish, or phrases like the work of an amateur. Amateur historian could never be an insult, because it's actually better to have a real career in something substantial, and do the history stuff on the side as a hobby.
- qingcharles 2y agoFor me, amateur generally just translates as "not paid for his services."