Quote:
Originally Posted by HarryT
I see that "dictionary.com" (which is American) gives "plan" as the primary meaning, with the "dishonest" meaning second...
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The Oxford English Dictionary gives similar.
I think here in NZ (and I think Australia too) "scheme" (n) is often used with the dishonest meaning, or when dishonesty is wished to be implied, especially by the news media. I usually do a double take when it is used anywhere.
For example the media will say "their plan" when describing someone's plan and they do not want to attach any dishonest connotation. But they will say "their scheme" when for malicious reasons they want to imply dishonesty without the risk of litigation.
I have worked in managing large projects for decades and if I asked someone to explain what they were going to do, I would never ask what their "scheme" was but ask what their "plan" was, as otherwise my question might be taken as insincere implying something unreliable. The English speaking countries I have worked in are Australia, New Zealand and USA and a developing country whose predominant business and government language was English, but I am not saying they all are inclined to take the dishonest interpretation, just that it is something I am alert to as a risk in maintaining trust across diverse groups.