There are words and
phrases that sound the opposite of what they mean. “We expect a certain amount
of snow this winter,” means that, though we expect snow, we are not certain how
much snow we will get this winter. Somehow “certain” has become “uncertain.”
“Opprobrium” sounds as though it means approval. In
fact, it means condemnation.
“Meretricious” sounds
as though it means something has merit. What it really means is a thing that
appears to have merit, but is instead awful.” The word is itself meretricious.
There are other
examples, too, of course. The odious “I could care less” means the only
slightly less odious “I couldn’t care less.” (It also means the speaker is not
listening to his or her own words.)
On and on.
But here’s the latest
foul-up. “That begs the question” does not mean “That raises the question.” It
means, “That avoids the question,” or, usually, more precisely, “That intentionally
dodges the question.” To beg the question is to leave the question unanswered,
rather than to suggest the question in the first place.
News people from the
serious kind – “This is the news” – to the comic – “This is the fake news” – to
the Sunday morning pundits – “But the real issue here, George, David, Bob,
John, Chris”-- all make this mistake.
Why? Hard to say.
Probably because to them it sounds good. Like “Oversight” which really means a
mistake but is used to mean “oversee.” Or “Feedback” which any broadcasting person
should know is a terrible electronic snafu, very hard on the ears, but has
become “response.” Or, more to the point, words are often simply about sound
and this phrase sounds important.
Mark Twain said: “The
difference between the right word and the almost right word is the difference
between lightning and the lightning bug. “
“Beg the question” is
our latest lightning bug. And it’s a dim one.
