Intellect and vocabulary aren’t interchangeable, but the power of a good vocabulary goes far, and contrariwise, poor command of your native language bodes ill. With that in mind, indulge me in clarifying a couple of commonly misused expressions….<\/p>\n
Have you ever heard the phrase to “beg off” of something? It’s used as in “the man begged off his responsibilities for the day<\/em>.” This comes from a less common, but quite current<\/a>, definition of the word “beg”:<\/p>\n evade, sidestep<\/strong> – begged <\/em>the real problems<\/p><\/blockquote>\n <\/p>\n The phrase “begs the question” follows this usage. To “beg” a question is to avoid it, not to invite it. “Beg for<\/em>” is generally more appropriate in such cases, as in “beg for forgiveness.”<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The more common meaning of “beg the question” has come into nearly ubiquitous usage, and so it has been taken on as a valid definition. English is a living language; in this case it has evolved through ignorance — but now you know.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n <\/p>\n You’ve heard this phrase. People love to use it when something goes wrong. Yet the commonly understood usage is on even shakier ground than “beg the question” — this one doesn’t even make sense; how could an exception, something going against the norm, possibly support <\/em>the rule? Wouldn’t it make more sense for it to challenge <\/em>the rule?<\/p>\n <\/p>\nThe Exception Proves the Rule<\/h1>\n