Pedants' Paradise

[cat]

Nevertheless, it still grates on some of us when words have their meanings forcibly changed through misuse and/or ignorance. Subtlety and nuance are thereby the losers and our language becomes immeasurably the poorer,

Decimate presumably gained widespread usage because it fulfilled a need. What other single word means "to reduce by a great number"? How often do people need a single word to say "reduce by a great number", and how often do they need a single word to say "reduce by a tenth"?

[gurnemanz]

Decimate presumably gained widespread usage because it fulfilled a need. What other single word means "to reduce by a great number"? How often do people need a single word to say "reduce by a great number", and how often do they need a single word to say "reduce by a tenth"?

Agree. The meaning of words is expanded via figurative usage to fill a gap, as you say. This is evolution and enrichment of the language not misuse. Knowledge of the original meaning is an insight that can add vividness to the new extended meaning.

[french frank]

Decimate presumably gained widespread usage because it fulfilled a need. What other single word means "to reduce by a great number"? How often do people need a single word to say "reduce by a great number", and how often do they need a single word to say "reduce by a tenth"?

I agree with that. It's extraordinary when I think about it that I couldn't/can't think of another single word meaning 'to reduce by a significant number'. This isn't quite my initial - somewhat pedantic - point about the use of the word to mean the destruction of a single item (a life), which takes the meaning a stage further. In that case, however, I think there would be alternatives: ruin, destroy …

[Serial_Apologist]

Agree. The meaning of words is expanded via figurative usage to fill a gap, as you say. This is evolution and enrichment of the language not misuse. Knowledge of the original meaning is an insight that can add vividness to the new extended meaning.

That's my nostrum for the day, or even for the week...

[kernelbogey]

I agree with that. It's extraordinary when I think about it that I couldn't/can't think of another single word meaning 'to reduce by a significant number'. This isn't quite my initial - somewhat pedantic - point about the use of the word to mean the destruction of a single item (a life), which takes the meaning a stage further. In that case, however, I think there would be alternatives: ruin, destroy …

Agree. The meaning of words is expanded via figurative usage to fill a gap, as you say. This is evolution and enrichment of the language not misuse. Knowledge of the original meaning is an insight that can add vividness to the new extended meaning.

Nonetheless, I would prefer this usage of the neologism of 'decimate' to be decimated.

[Sir Velo]

Nonetheless, I would prefer this usage of the neologism of 'decimate' to be decimated.

What, only reduced by a tenth?

[kernelbogey]

What, only reduced by a tenth?

I think the Romans proved that you can do it more than once....

[AuntDaisy]

Is there a(n) haitch in UNHCR? Just been listening to Today...

As a Northerner, bath & aunt cause fun & occasional comment from nearest & dearest.

[french frank]

Is there a(n) haitch in UNHCR? Just been listening to Today...

As a Northerner, bath & aunt cause fun & occasional comment from nearest & dearest.

'Course there's no haitch:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11642588

[AuntDaisy]

'Course there's no haitch:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/magazine-11642588

I enjoyed that article, thanks ff.

Reminders of BBC announcers in dinner-jackets &/or gowns - Halcyon days? Roll-on Wilfred Pickles.

Talking of Northerners, Hannah French had a lovely Bloomsday photo on Twitter

https://twitter.com/hannahcfrench/status/1405034696287965185/photo/1

[french frank]

I enjoyed that article, thanks ff.

Pity the video doesn't seem to be working - I enjoyed hearing the members of the public with strong views disagreeing with each other.

Talking of Northerners, Hannah French had a lovely Bloomsday photo on Twitter

Just caught up with what you're supposed to do on Bloomsday. Had passed me by.

[AuntDaisy]

Pity the video doesn't seem to be working - I enjoyed hearing the members of the public with strong views disagreeing with each other.

Just caught up with what you're supposed to do on Bloomsday. Had passed me by.

... me too (for both of you comments).

I also enjoyed her gentle reply to a comment about "No bicycle park at BH" - "it’s actually my mobility scooter but it does look bike-ish there!"

[french frank]

... me too (for both of you comments).

I also enjoyed her gentle reply to a comment about "No bicycle park at BH" - "it’s actually my mobility scooter but it does look bike-ish there!"

I thought it might have been one of those new-fangled Council e-scooters knocking people down all over the place in Bristol. I hadn't also caught up with the fact that HF was now on Le P'tit Déjeuner.

(Haven't discovered what replaces Flashplayer if you want to view some of these BBC vid clips: I just get a blank window with a message telling me to push off.)

[kernelbogey]

I thought it might have been one of those new-fangled Council e-scooters knocking people down all over the place in Bristol. I hadn't also caught up with the fact that HF was now on Le P'tit Déjeuner.

"it’s actually my mobility scooter but it does look bike-ish there!"

She made a programme about her disability which was very moving. She chose to give up performance because of her disability; and to focus on broadcasting, writing and lecturing etc.

[AuntDaisy]

She made a programme about her disability which was very moving. She chose to give up performance because of her disability; and to focus on broadcasting, writing and lecturing etc.

Yes.
"The Silence of My Pain" is still available on SOUNDS.
The accompanying Early Music Show "How Pleasing the Pain Is" was excellent - I loved her selection of music.