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Subject:verbal abuse of "begging the question" From:"Tamminga, Ernie" <et -at- DSC -dot- COM> Date:Wed, 11 Jun 1997 15:03:00 -0700
Someone Wrote:
This begs the question What thou shalt not do on an interview?
<<SNIP>>---------------------
I just want to add this to the list of "pet peeves" that appear on this
list from time to time, regarding sad things happening to the language.
The fine phrase "to beg the question" is very fast becoming synonymous
with "to RAISE the question". I first remember hearing this usage on a
TV commercial for some toothpaste, a couple of years ago. Something
about showing a dentist in his own bathroom brushing his teeth, and this
"begging the question" of what toothpase he used.
I remember crying out in pain when I heard this. ...and I've had to
cringe repeatedly since, as the new usage gradually forces-out the real
meaning of the phrase.
The real meaning of "to beg the question" is: TO EMPLOY AN ARGUMENT THAT
ASSUMES AS VALID THE VERY SAME ARGUMENT THAT ONE IS TRYING TO PROVE.
A good, useful phrase. Sad to see it getting watered down...
--------
Ernie Tamminga
Director, InfoEngineering
Digital Sound Corporation
-----------------------------------------------
Opinions expressed are my own, and not necessarily those of Digital
Sound Corporation
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