I really need a better graphic for intellectual rage

[winterbadger]

Also titled "Neologisms that make me want to KILL"

The latest entry? "Optic" which seems to be being used now as a noun signifying a view or appearance or an image (e.g., "The US wishes to avoid an optic of defeat in Iraq.")

Folks, there are all sorts of good ways to say this withe words we already have. There is no need to take a word which means something and misuse it in such a perverse fashion. This is a travesty of usage, because it turns the meaning on its head. Optic is a noun meaning an eye, or a device used to see; it is also an adjective used to indicate that something is related to seeing. It is NOT a word that means "the thing being seen". That's like using "chef" to mean the person who consumes a meal, or using "up" as a synonym for "down".

Bryan, can I borrow a few large-calibre handguns?...

Comments

LOL

[zornhau.livejournal.com]

Will "attriting" be involved?

Re: LOL

[winterbadger]

To attrite actually goes back to the 17th century, according to the Random House Dictionary.

Re: LOL

[zornhau.livejournal.com]

Must have been hacked by the CIA...

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

Other than optic nerve I always think of optic as in bar measures of vodka or whatever..

btw are you going to send me your paypal usable email at some point? :)

[winterbadger]

Drinkies? ??

[paypal] Oh, right, keep forgetting :-)

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

In British pubs the bottles of liquor have a measure on them which serves an exact amount each time, I think that's the optic..

[silme.livejournal.com]

*sigh* And I thought it was bad when 'committee' was used as a verb. May I use this example for my A-level English Language (basically linguistics) class?

[winterbadger]

Of course.

Someone else in LJland today cited the use of "assembly's" as a verb in their workplace...

*hides in horror*

[wolfette]

an optic is also the device in UK bars that holds the bottle of spirits or liqueur on the wall and delivers a measure of said alcohol for sale.

[winterbadger]

Does it? I had no idea. Well, and I always say that it's never too late to learn.

But I would imagine that (at least some) people would be only too glad of that sort of optic in Iraq! :-)

Optic

[wolfette]

http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/311zeBGb-SL._SL500_AA280_.jpg

Re: Optic

[winterbadger]

Yep, I've seen them. I just didn't know that was what they were called.

Re: Optic

[hobbitblue.livejournal.com]

Ah, thanks, was what I was trying to explain (badly!)

[wcg.livejournal.com]

Oh blech. That's even worse than "full spectrum combat operations."

[winterbadger]

Oh, much. And considerably more objectionable than the constant (at least around the office) use of "kinetic" to describe any sort of activity that isn't sitting down and talking to people...

[pisica.livejournal.com]

I'm sure you will be able to leverage the benefits of this situation.

*runs*

[winterbadger]

Wait, let me get your coat... :-)