-----Beginning of the citation----- https://www.nytimes.com/2018/03/29/world/europe/russia-expels-diplom ats.html
Why "_a_ confrontation" not "the confrontation"?
Why "_a_ confrontation" not "the confrontation"?
Firstly, this is (again) garbage writing. You can't escalate a confrontation; a confrontation either is or is not. Same thing
with "reached a crescendo" (a phrase I often see). A crescendo is
an increase in volume over time and yes you can reach the beginning
of a crescendo in music, but as the journalists (hack, spit) use it
they seem to think a crescendo is a peak; a point in time.
This type of abysmal writing is a hot button of mine, and I'm going
to suggest that all here should be extremely careful of using
journalistic writing for any sort of exemplar of correct usage.
Nine times out of ten such writing is crap.
I guess that it is the way how words change their meaning or get
additional ones. People who know the word poorly may use it in their
own way. If such people are heard by many the new meaning begins to
live its own life. And the dictionary has no choice but to add the
new entry.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crescendo
From another side: can we make the confrontation stronger? If it can
become stronger we can escalate it, as we can escalate any crisis.
I should read more good books. ;-)
A crescendo is an increase in volume over time and
yes you can reach the beginning of a crescendo in
music, but as the journalists (hack, spit) use it
they seem to think a crescendo is a peak; a point
in time.
I guess that it is the way how words change their
meaning or get additional ones. People who know the
word poorly may use it in their own way. If such
people are heard by many the new meaning begins to
live its own life.
And the dictionary has no choice but to add the
new entry.
From another side: can we make the confrontation
stronger? If it can become stronger we can escalate
it, as we can escalate any crisis.
I should read more good books. ;-)
I guess that it is the way how words change their meaning or getUnfortunately, yes....
additional ones. People who know the word poorly may use it in
their own way. If such people are heard by many the new meaning
begins to live its own life.
And the dictionary has no choice but to add the new entry.As Dallas says, most English/English dictionaries nowadays add such entries. Another example from music is "classical", which we both recognize as a particular style dating from about 1750-1800 but
many others don't. There is also the word "argument" from English
class, and (as you've seen elsewhere) the geographical
name "Holland". In the "real world" I must understand what others
mean, even if I wouldn't put it that way myself... and there's
where I may want the dictionary to help me out. I realize the
English language has changed over time & will continue to do so,
but I see much of its power & beauty being lost.
From another side: can we make the confrontation stronger? If it
can become stronger we can escalate it, as we can escalate any
crisis.
As I see it the noun "confrontation" is derived from the verb "[to] confront", which means to face up to & deal with a problem. How
people do that varies widely. But when I compare dictionaries I see
e.g. "face with hostility or violence" entering the list of
definitions for the verb & creeping closer to the top. One must
always remember that it's not in the best interests of those who
sell "news" to fight such trends if the audience wants to assume
the worst.
I should read more good books. ;-)
When you quoted an excerpt from IVANHOE, I thought the language was wonderful... that was what inspired me to read the book for myself.
But it's a rip-roaring good adventure story too, for those who want
lots of action.
I look forward to seeing more citations like that... [chuckle].
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