[Lexicog] When Words Lose Meaning

[Fritz Goerling]

Scott Nelson wrote:

It's interesting to watch what happens to words when any of five 
inconvenient factors intrude on an original (if there is such a thing 
as an origninal): 1) emotion 2) politics 3) metaphorical use 4) 
location 5) time. 
Right - the "nemesis." What do lexicographers do with youthful unorthodox
uses of words like "wicked" or "bad" to mean "good/cool" which usually go
out of fashion soon?" Slang dictionaries? Or what to do with the recent
judicial redefinition of marriage by the Supreme Court in California? 

Fritz Goerling

The issue of words losing/changing meaning is one that can 
easily be resolved by extending definitions .
It will continue to be the nemesis 
of lexicographers and teachers in hard copy. 

Scott Nelson 



 

 

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