TechWhirl (TECHWR-L) is a resource for technical writing and technical communications professionals of all experience levels and in all industries to share their experiences and acquire information.
For two decades, technical communicators have turned to TechWhirl to ask and answer questions about the always-changing world of technical communications, such as tools, skills, career paths, methodologies, and emerging industries. The TechWhirl Archives and magazine, created for, by and about technical writers, offer a wealth of knowledge to everyone with an interest in any aspect of technical communications.
On Thursday, March 18, 2010, Boudreaux, Madelyn (GE Health wrote:
> But doesn't it mean arguable in the sense that it's only arguable by
> people with nothing better to do, is purely academic, not worth
> bothering with, etc?
Not really. Historically, a moot discussion in a court of law was a mock court or
hypothetical case. You *could* argue they had nothing better to do :) But as an
adjective a moot point means it is open for discussion or debate, and as a verb, to
moot a point is to present the point for discussion.
And then there's also the definition of being of little practical value.
My take on it is if you want to avoid ambiguity, don't use moot since you could mean
the point is arguable or not worth arguing.
Dana W.
***************************
Dana Worley
Software Product Manager/Manager, Software Support Group
Campbell Scientific, Inc.
Microsoft MVP, Windows Help
Use Doc-To-Help's XML-based editor, Microsoft Word, or HTML and
produce desktop, Web, or print deliverables. Just write (or import)
and Doc-To-Help does the rest. Free trial: http://www.doctohelp.com
Explore CAREER options and paths related to Technical Writing,
learn to create SOFTWARE REQUIREMENTS documents, and
get tips on FUNCTIONAL SPECIFICATION best practices. Free at: http://www.ModernAnalyst.com
---
You are currently subscribed to TECHWR-L as archive -at- web -dot- techwr-l -dot- com -dot-
