Roger’s Rules

By Roger Kimball

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In Praise of Elitism: Obama studies 101

April 13, 2008 - 8:11 am - by Roger Kimball
Assistant Village Idiot
2008-04-13 19:44:58

Meanings of words change in exactly this way. It is good to resist such changes – and certainly to point out that the meaning of a word is changing – so that we may better understand those who came before us, and our descendants understand us. But there is always something quixotic about bemoaning a meaning change. Words with negative overtones become neutral, neutral words become laden with connotation.