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Originally Posted by bookman156
That one's often flagged up to use only in a legal context as some tend to misunderstand the meaning. But why wouldn't a barrister then use that phrase? It's from Latin after all. (Or, you mean they wouldn't get it wrong then. No, I guess not.)
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B-bu-but, it's not
only in a legal context. Gadzooks!
In that time period, a barrister had, presumably, trained in debate at the very least. In no universe would he mistakenly use "begs the question" to mean
asks the question. It's unique to debating--and legal arguments (!!!)--and thus, essential to his core being. (I say
his confidently, given the time period.)
At this point (she said, exasperated), I guess I should be grateful that they're not saying "beggars the question." (BLERGH! Talk about
mooshing and bastardizing...)
Quote:
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My favourite pet hate is 'centres around'/'centers around'. You can't centre around, you can only centre on. BBC News gets this wrong all the time.
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I hate to admit, I've been guilty of centering "around." (Although I believe--or perhaps I'd just
like to believe--that I mostly use "on.") It's an abuse and a bastardization and I should flog myself. One of the downsides to running your own biz and doing so
without a lot of other folks around is that you start to get sloppy in your speech and writing. (And on the Net...well. How often do you get to have a decently intelligent conversation like
this one? Not bloody often.)
Hitch