dynamic = "influencing circumstance(s)"?

[Jonathan Lighter]

Not in OED.

And if it matters, the CNN use seems to refer to a condition that seems
pretty stable (they just don't want him running) rather than one that's
changing "dynamically."

FWIW, "family dynamics" (pl.) is the phrase I'm familiar with. The sing.
would seem to mean the same thing (circumstances evolving according to
a ceratin pattern of interactions) - except in this case.

Another straw in the wind?  (Note "?" here and above.)

JL

On Sun, May 22, 2011 at 11:02 AM, Dan Goncharoff <thegonch at gmail.com> wrote:

> ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> -----------------------
> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Dan Goncharoff <thegonch at GMAIL.COM>
> Subject:      Re: dynamic = "influencing circumstance(s)"?
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>
> I am very confused.
>
> I have seen the phrase "family dynamic" my whole life. GB confirms use in
> psych books from the 60s.
>
> I don't think there is anything new about this phrase, except perhaps in
> OED.
>
> DanG
>
> On Sun, May 22, 2011 at 8:57 AM, Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at gmail.com
> >wrote:
>
> > ---------------------- Information from the mail header
> > -----------------------
> > Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> > Poster:       Jonathan Lighter <wuxxmupp2000 at GMAIL.COM>
> > Subject:      dynamic = "influencing circumstance(s)"?
> >
> >
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> >
> > CNN reports that Mitch Daniels has acceded to his family's wishes that he
> > not run for president.
> >
> > CNN sums up his situation as a "complicated family dynamic."
> >
> > Not in OED.
> >
> > JL
> >
> > --
> > "If the truth is half as bad as I think it is, you can't handle the
> truth."
> >
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> >
>
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