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>its literal meaning refers to phenomena that propagate rapidly through networks of interaction between individuals. The actual literal meaning of epidemic is,
by technothrasher 2y ago
>its literal meaning refers to phenomena that propagate rapidly through networks of interaction between individuals.
The actual literal meaning of epidemic is, "affecting a group of people" (epi = among/upon, dēmos = people/district). It is only when referring to disease that it take on an infectious connotation.
- Gormo 2y agoI suppose that's true if we look literally at the Greek roots. Perhaps I should have said that the traditional English meaning usually refers to propagation of contagious phenomena. Sort of how the literal meaning of "television" doesn't capture its specific meaning in modern usage, in that it doesn't generally refer to anything seen at a distance.
- yjftsjthsd-h 2y agoCuriously, https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/epidemic https://en.wiktionary.org/wiki/epidemic only mentions "spreading" in the context of ideas. Although, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidemic https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/epidemic gives both equal weight.