Comments on Word-wise: Do you refer, or do you reference?

@Jerry: Hope I didn't imply (not infer!) to ha...

2011-06-24T11:21:00.449-04:00

@Jerry: Hope I didn't imply (not infer!) to have read cynicism in your comment above. I meant that more generally: Our language as a whole may be revealing our creeping cynicism as a society.

Thank YOU for your comments and support. I like that topics aren't just done at time of post but take on new life as discussion in the comments afterward. Readers that want to stay under the radar sometimes comment by email, too. It's all good--keeps us thinking. :)

As I age I seem to be ever more cynical but readil...

2011-06-21T17:18:54.907-04:00

As I age I seem to be ever more cynical but readily tie almost everything to social dysfunction which is alarmingly evident for me.

Perhaps it's best that I "chalk it up" (yet another reference to earlier times) to cynicism because that hurts nobody but me.

You, dear, are serving an important need, especially in the U.S. where little if any tradition or family/cultural heritage is passed to new generations. I know you have always been passionate about using the English language correctly and I applaud you for that determination.

Thank you for a job well done.

Thanks for your comment, Jerry! I agree, the i...

2011-06-20T07:51:12.372-04:00
Thanks for your comment, Jerry!

I agree, the imply/infer pair is a frequent victim of misuse. I thought I had addressed that once before, but looking over my archives, I see I didn't. I'm going to add it to my list of future topics.

Interesting observation about believe. I think you have a point: Believe would tend to reveal a more self-centered idea than either "inference" or "implication." Also, I wonder whether its use shows a certain disregard for fact, or maybe just cynicism, as a society. Hmm...this discussion may be crossing from linguistics to sociology!

I'm definitely in your corner. "Refer to&...

2011-06-19T11:17:24.716-04:00
I'm definitely in your corner. "Refer to" never needs any explanation.

My ear has always shriveled when people interchange "imply" and "infer". These days however, neither of those words see much usage and commonly get replaced by "believe". My theory for this evolution is that we have become far more egotistical.