On: Why It’s Illegal to Use Milk Crates for Anything Besides Milk (2013)

[nhayden]

I don't understand how professional writers constantly misuse "begs the question".

[esbranson → nhayden]

Because its English. There is no such thing as "misuse". Words mean what readers and writers think they mean. Its a communication medium, not an exercise in bureaucracy.

[nhayden → esbranson]

I don't get why people defend incorrect language usage but wouldn't defend terrible misspellings, like "definitely" as "defiantly". They're both equally "wrong" but one is acceptable and one isn't.

I agree that language is an evolution and there is no "wrong", but that doesn't stop people from looking stupid by trying write intelligently and falling on their faces.

[wodenokoto → nhayden]

Because professional writers caught up with the times and use it to mean what everybody understand it to mean.

[mdellabitta → wodenokoto]

We need something to mean what "begs the question" used to mean, then, because it's an important concept to be aware of.

[nhayden → wodenokoto]

Or they could be less confusing with their writing, use "raises the question" like they intended to, and not look stupid in the process.

[dllthomas → nhayden]

Or, for variety, "begs us to ask".