Sacrifice = opportunity cost

[Dan Goncharoff]

I don't understand why sacrifice and choice are exclusive.

Abraham's sacrifice of Isaac is only a test if it is a choice.

DanG


On Wed, Aug 1, 2012 at 4:44 AM, Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at ix.netcom.com>wrote:

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> Sender:       American Dialect Society <ADS-L at LISTSERV.UGA.EDU>
> Poster:       Benjamin Barrett <gogaku at IX.NETCOM.COM>
> Subject:      Sacrifice = opportunity cost
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>
> 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 The OED seems to be outdated.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."=20
>
> 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).
>
> Benjamin Barrett
> Seattle, WA=
>
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