289
language hot take rule
(lemmy.world)
you are viewing a single comment's thread
view the rest of the comments
view the rest of the comments
this post was submitted on 03 Oct 2023
289 points (99.7% liked)
196
16591 readers
2324 users here now
Be sure to follow the rule before you head out.
Rule: You must post before you leave.
founded 1 year ago
MODERATORS
I think it's funny when people use the dictionary like it's some perfectly unbiased and authoritative source, rather than a compilation of how people use words
Sometimes if you're going to have a conversation you need to agree on what a word means. If there's any ambiguity, I'm going to refer to the dictionary so we can continue our conversation, not whatever you or I decide a word means. The dictionary should be the common ground on which we speak when we disagree, because anything else is madness.
It's useful, but more often than not, people tend to use the dictionary to shut down disagreement
Depends on what the disagreement is. If the disagreement is purely due to two parties misunderstand each other as they're running on different definitions then it makes perfect sense. You can't have a discussion if you aren't discussing the same thing.
You would pull out a dictionary instead of just asking them to clarify?