Etymology Man!
01/30/2012
I've always been greatly annoyed by the attempt to limit or twist the use of a common word by reference to its etymology. I've probably done it myself here and there, but that doesn't make it any less annoying. So here is xkcd doing his part to stamp out the practice.
Language changes, people; get over it. If you want meanings to stay put, do like Mother Church and use Latin.
(Thanks to my wife for sending me this. I can't believe she saw an xkcd before I did. I haven't been reading it as regularly as I used to.)
At first I thought this said, "Etymology, Man!" I was excited because I love etymology.
AMDG
Posted by: Janet | 01/30/2012 at 10:24 PM
Oh, I do, too. It's just that use of it that annoys me. And really I've partially mischaracterized what Etymology Man is doing--he's mainly crusading for accurate etymology (I think).
Posted by: Mac | 01/30/2012 at 10:42 PM
In fact, not to be pedantic, but etymology man is saying you do not always have to change your language.
Posted by: ex pat | 01/31/2012 at 01:15 PM
Yes, I was projecting my own pet peeve there to some extent. I guess I was hearing mainly the very end, which is sort of a putdown of the pedant (the pedant's "tsunami" is more wrong than "tidal wave," etymologically)--people who insist on etymological conformity being pedants, in my book.
Posted by: Mac | 01/31/2012 at 02:43 PM
And it's hopeless anyway. Even Latin changes.
Posted by: Anne-Marie | 02/02/2012 at 12:17 AM
I loved that one. I'm sure you caught the follow up a few days later. I thought it was funnier still.
Posted by: J Dave G | 02/13/2012 at 06:44 PM
Yes, I meant to post that one but got distracted as usual.
Posted by: Mac | 02/13/2012 at 06:59 PM