Lets make up our own meaning...

[george]

What ever it takes to meet an agenda.
So accuracy means nothing anymore.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Changes Definition Of ‘Assault Rifle’ After Parkland Shooting
http://thefederalist.com/2018/03/31/merriam-webster-online-dictionary-changes-definition-assault-rifle-parkland-shooting/

[Holland&Holland]

What ever it takes to meet an agenda.
So accuracy means nothing anymore.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Changes Definition Of ‘Assault Rifle’ After Parkland Shooting
http://thefederalist.com/2018/03/31/merriam-webster-online-dictionary-changes-definition-assault-rifle-parkland-shooting/

You do realize that Merriam - Webster changes word, add words, etc all the time? A few years ago Doh was not a word, now it is. Their definition is generally accurate to how it is being used in general society so to me that is not alarming. I mean really, if all we have to complain about is the technicality of what they call it when they try to ban it then we have already lost. I would rather have and win the argument on why I NEED to be allowed to own an assault rifle than whether we are calling it an assault rifle or a MSR.

[xd ED]

It's a weak and lazy definition, as it essentially uses it's own definition to describe itself:
basically saying an assault rifle is something that looks like an assault rifle.

noun: any of various intermediate-range, magazine-fed military rifles (such as the AK-47) that can be set for automatic or semiautomatic fire; also : a rifle that resembles a military assault rifle but is designed to allow only semiautomatic fire

[BigBlue]

What ever it takes to meet an agenda.
So accuracy means nothing anymore.

Merriam-Webster Online Dictionary Changes Definition Of ‘Assault Rifle’ After Parkland Shooting
http://thefederalist.com/2018/03/31/merriam-webster-online-dictionary-changes-definition-assault-rifle-parkland-shooting/

You do realize that Merriam - Webster changes word, add words, etc all the time? A few years ago Doh was not a word, now it is. Their definition is generally accurate to how it is being used in general society so to me that is not alarming. I mean really, if all we have to complain about is the technicality of what they call it when they try to ban it then we have already lost. I would rather have and win the argument on why I NEED to be allowed to own an assault rifle than whether we are calling it an assault rifle or a MSR.

Adding a new word I don't generally have a problem with, as long as it is not a stupid word (think 'ginormous') and it is in widespread use. Putting in localized slang is bad. Yes, this is subjective, and I declare myself key arbiter.

But redefining an established word is wrong. We should not be redefining it, we should be fixing society's use of it (no matter what the word is). Changing meaning is how we end up losing historical context and understanding of how people were thinking when they made prior laws or when certain event happened. That's bad.

BB

[Ghost]

'ginormous'

That’s what she said

[Holland&Holland]

Adding a new word I don't generally have a problem with, as long as it is not a stupid word (think 'ginormous') and it is in widespread use. Putting in localized slang is bad. Yes, this is subjective, and I declare myself key arbiter.

But redefining an established word is wrong. We should not be redefining it, we should be fixing society's use of it (no matter what the word is). Changing meaning is how we end up losing historical context and understanding of how people were thinking when they made prior laws or when certain event happened. That's bad.

BB

Nice, naughty, silly, awful,... all mean something completely different now than they once did. Should Webster stick with the original definitions?

[Holland&Holland]

I would be awful if Trump did away with nfpa, but that is just so nice of me.

[xd ED]

Sola lingua bona est lingua mortua

[BigBlue]

Nice, naughty, silly, awful,... all mean something completely different now than they once did. Should Webster stick with the original definitions?

Yes.

[yukonjasper]

How long has it been since Merriam Webster was truly relevant. They only chase popular culture and the language trends to have a news release every so often to remind people they still exist. The inexactitude of the common language is an indicator of where we are we are in society in general.

Language
The relations between rhetoric and ethics are disturbing: the ease with which language can be twisted is worrisome, and the fact that our minds accept these perverse games so docilely is no less cause for concern. Octavio Paz

Our language is the reflection of ourselves. A language is an exact reflection of the character and growth of its speakers. Cesar Chavez

Political language... is designed to make lies sound truthful and murder respectable, and to give an appearance of solidity to pure wind. George Orwell

We're losing social skills, the human interaction skills, how to read a person's mood, to read their body language, how to be patient until the moment is right to make or press a point. Too much exclusive use of electronic information dehumanizes what is a very, very important part of community life and living together. Vincent Nichols
Read more at: https://www.brainyquote.com/topics/language

[Holland&Holland]

Nice, naughty, silly, awful,... all mean something completely different now than they once did. Should Webster stick with the original definitions?

Yes.

That is nice of you.

[Bearcatrp]

'ginormous'

That’s what she said

Q-tip for you! (Sorry, couldn’t resist)

[Ghost]

'ginormous'

That’s what she said

Q-tip for you! (Sorry, couldn’t resist)

I take it you’ve heard that before