FERGUSON

[DeistPaladin]

As an aside, could you not quote the entire post you're responding to?

Yes, it is a shame that language evolves..........

A tragedy actually, since we've expanded that word to the point where it doesn't mean anything aside from "something sad". We can disagree on this point but it really irks me that we're seeing words pulled apart and expanded to the point where they don't mean anything. I like precision in my vocabulary. Words are important means of communicating ideas.

As we might have learned from the book "1984", watering down the vocabulary is a useful step in dumbing down the public. It may also be symptomatic. As our word use becomes sloppy, it may be an indication of how our critical thinking has become sloppy.

Your meaningless essay regarding your views on grammar, however much I may agree in principle, are irrelevant.

The original point made was regarding your assertion that this was a tragedy, I disagree. Sad? Very. Avoidable? Absolutely. Tragedy? Not even close.

Actually, using the watered-down definition, which has tragically been added to the dictionary under the theory that the dictionary should literally address the common abuse of a word, yes.

Someone died. It was sad. Therefore, it's a "tragedy" according to the new definition of the word.