Discussion, it appears, is only smiled upon when everyone says the same thing. Like cheerleaders.

There is little that is more annoying, than the company of yes-men.

Of course, without two sides to a coin, it's a drawing of a coin, and lacks some measure of dimension.

quote:

Originally posted by sns3guppy:
Discussion, it appears, is only smiled upon when everyone says the same thing. Like cheerleaders.

There is little that is more annoying, than the company of yes-men.

Of course, without two sides to a coin, it's a drawing of a coin, and lacks some measure of dimension.

You talk funny, never heard someone say, "I like arguing for no fucking reason" like that.

But hey, some people shit with their feet on the toilet seat, who am I to argue.

Don't mind me, I'm just bored at work.

quote:

Originally posted by OttoSig:
You talk funny, never hear someone say, "I like arguing for no fucking reason" like that.

But hey, some people shit with their feet on the toilet seat, who and I to argue.

Don't mind me, I'm just bored at work.

OH. MY. WORD. Hahaha. I’ll never forget this day. Thank you, sir.

James.

Epic.

That definitely begs the question

Yeah...that was kinda epic.

Hey, don't you go dissin' Bruce Lee! He had washboard abs!

The acceptance of "begs the question" as a phrase meaning "suggests the question" is a recent change. While it is true that language evolves, and often evolves in just this way, the recency of this changes means that it grates on the ears of many. That is what you are hearing here.

And, I think it is also true that this change in meaning will lead to the loss of the use of the phrase as describing a logical error. Many (if not most) hearers will come to think the phrase means only "suggests the question." Then, when we want to refer to the logical fallacy, we will have to use some awkward explanation instead of the neat, handy three-word construction "begs the question."

So many here are being prescriptive, and not merely descriptive. And those people have the better side of this debate.

This evolving language concept fascinated me more than 30 years ago when I learned that nuclear waste sites have warning signs written with symbols because as far into the future that the site will still be harmful, the languages of today will no longer be recognized.

Ah it looks like this pot is getting well stirred. Which "begs the question" - was clarity of the usage of the phrase the original posters intent or a complaint that the phrase was no longer used exclusively as intended?

Ah as I have added a little vinegar to the pot, will take a break.

Begging is undignified, even for a question.