Most abused word in Science?

dipole

What single word do you think is used in the widest range of contexts giving it many different meanings and leading to all sorts of possible confusion?

I'd vote on the word "phase".

Pengwuino

Proof.

I win.

Jimmy Snyder

small

micromass

The scientific word that is most abused by non-scientists has got to be "quantum". We have quantum healing, quantum bracelets, quantum touch, quantum sounds, etc. None of these things has anything to do with quantum physics.

rolerbe

Yes, but it's only a phase.

Andre

"could" is the most beloved/abused word by alarmists. If X is true, the world, as we know it, 'could' be destroyed.

arildno

Flappers is right. It doesn't win, though, due to unwinworthiness.

ZapperZ

"Theory"

Zz.

Pengwuino

Oh god, after reading the responses I think it's like asking which of my tomatoes in my garden looks the worse. How do you even pick a winner?

micromass

I don't think that they even qualify as tomatoes. So the question is void.

Dembadon

"Science."

Chi Meson

I'm on record agreeing with this. We ought to ditch "theory" altogether since even scientists regularly use this to mean "conjecture" or "hypothesis."

Second place is "centrifugal force." Yes, I'm one of those guys.

Ken Natton

Hmmm. Interesting Micromass. I’m not sure from where you get the idea that the word ‘quantum’ is the exclusive preserve of science. The quantum of money, for example, is the penny, or the cent, or whatever is the smallest unit of money in your neck of the woods. The quantum of computer data, notwithstanding the Quantum Computer which is, I understand, something else all together, is the bit. I’m not convinced that the terms you refer to ever intended to bask in the reflected glory of the world of the quantum as referenced by physical science.

Opus_723

Energy. I have yet to meet a non-scientist who can define it in any meaningful way.

Luke77

Quantum! I have seen so many books and articles that say quantum has to do with peace or love or the meaning of life.

Pengwuino

A fun past time in PF chat is finding all sorts of examples online of people doing just that, unfortunately.

flatmaster

I agree with this because this word actually has a myriad non-technical definitions. Just like power, force, et al.