Dictionary Compilers Have Done Us a Disservice

The headline:  “Looters bring anarchy as citizens flee.

Go to your dictionary and look up anarchy. Pay particular attention to the etymology of the word anarchy.  It means having no ruler.  It doesn’t mean irresponsible individuals running around looting.

Posted by on 02/26 at 06:10 AM

  1. Here is what my Dictionary says:

    Anarchy n. 1. A state of society without government or laws 2. disorder or confusion

    The important thing to remember is that contrary to popular belief Dictionaries do not provide definitions, Dictionaries provide usage.

    In other words, Dictionaries are like a poll of how terms are actually being used. If you want logically consistent definitions, then you need a Lexicon instead of a Dictionary. A Lexicon provides consistent definitions of terms, not usage.

    Posted by  on  02/27  at  09:39 AM

  2. Thanks Serpent.

    Posted by  on  02/27  at  12:50 PM

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