Sacrifice = opportunity cost

[Laurence Horn]

On Aug 1, 2012, at 4:44 AM, Benjamin Barrett wrote:

> My partner (Japanese native) pointed out today that the use by Olympians of the word "sacrifice" is odd. I had trouble fingering his objection, but then he pointed out that what they are calling sacrifices are choices not sacrifices.
>
> The OED seems to be outdated. The closest is: " The destruction or surrender of something valued or desired for the sake of something having, or regarded as having, a higher or a more pressing claim; the loss entailed by devotion to some other interest; also, the thing so devoted or surrendered."
>
> The AHD (http://education.yahoo.com/reference/dictionary/entry/sacrifice) says: "Forfeiture of something highly valued for the sake of one considered to have a greater value or claim."
>
> Olympians and athletes in general certainly do give up a lot in their pursuit of athletics, but this seems to be less lofty: opportunity cost; the giving up of something in the pursuit of something else (more highly valued).
>
So you're telling me that my assumption that the athletes are referring to having made burnt offerings of oxen and goats to Zeus before the trials is unwarranted?  Who knew?

LH

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