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pghsonj1325 t1_j61mwnn wrote

Reply to comment by crystal0001 in A Philly cafe stole $1,200 in tips from workers, the city Labor Department found by crystal0001

If words are continually misused they cease to have any meaning.

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trifflinmonk t1_j62962k wrote

the meaning of words changes over time. I used to get hung up on this when people would say 'indisposed' all willy nilly but if enough people use a word in a way, that becomes the meaning of the word. Indispuesta in Spanish is often used when woman is on her period rather than literally meaning indisposed. Literally no longer has to mean literally. Words change as people see fit.

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RufusLaButte t1_j64kcs3 wrote

Like how "begging the question" has evolved past its actual intended usage and has come to mean "raising the question." Which, you know, is natural evolution of language but I also kind of hate it because "begging the question" is specific rhetorical device that can be used pretty deceptively, and I think we still need a name that matches what is actually happening, because the original meaning of the phrase is still very much relevant.

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