Remix.run Logo
arcfour 11 hours ago

It doesn't beg the question, it raises it. Begging the question is a type of logical fallacy in which you assume the truth of your conclusion. It doesn't mean something "begs for the question to be asked."

I have no idea why this incorrect use of the term drives me so nuts; however, you'd think a blog post about English words and Wordle wouldn't make this mistake.

slibhb 11 hours ago | parent | next [-]

I agree with you. But it's clear that "begging the question" is going the way of "literally," and there's (sadly) nothing we can do about it.

I suppose some time in the future, someone will invent a new phrase meaning "assuming your conclusion".

viccis 3 hours ago | parent | next [-]

At what point did dictionaries providing descriptive views of the English languages turn into a prescriptive one that emboldens people to just point to repeated wrong usage rather than admit they were wrong?

fsckboy 7 hours ago | parent | prev | next [-]

assuming your conclusion, why would we need a new phrase?

arcfour 11 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

Well, I for one won't be party to it. I think informing everyone I can is my drop in the bucket in the fight against the incorrect usage of words. :-)

mauvehaus 8 hours ago | parent [-]

When you win that battle, would you please fight iOS predictive text vs proper apostrophe use next?

Ericson2314 11 hours ago | parent | prev [-]

I think the idea was NYT was trying to imply they were running out.

To me, "begging the question" doesn't mean assuming the conclusion in particular, it just means that some of the premises used are less obvious than they are being passed off as. Assuming the conclusion is merely an especially egregious form of that.

arcfour 11 hours ago | parent [-]

I was objecting to the incorrect use of the phrase at the end of the article.