End the R-Word: Examining the Impact of Language

[nobahar]

I'm sure someone has mentioned it, but this always happens:
Imbecile, moron, and so on. It starts off as a medical term and is then used in a derogatory manner.
The worst offender has to be when people say "Schizo", or someone's behaviour, opinion, etc, is "Schizophrenic"; considering that its always used incorrectly. They use Schizophrenic when they mean Dissociative Identity Disorder. Even people who you expect to know better do it (e.g. I was disappointed to see Christopher Hitchens use it incorrectly).

 

[tedbradly]

I'm sure someone has mentioned it, but this always happens:
Imbecile, moron, and so on. It starts off as a medical term and is then used in a derogatory manner.
The worst offender has to be when people say "Schizo", or someone's behaviour, opinion, etc, is "Schizophrenic"; considering that its always used incorrectly. They use Schizophrenic when they mean Dissociative Identity Disorder. Even people who you expect to know better do it (e.g. I was disappointed to see Christopher Hitchens use it incorrectly).

Well, it's one of those things that is peculiar to know. The only reason I know the proper definition of schizophrenia is I did a small research project on it in 9th grade. Before that, like many, I thought it meant dissociative identity disorder.

 

[nobahar]

Well, it's one of those things that is peculiar to know. The only reason I know the proper definition of schizophrenia is I did a small research project on it in 9th grade. Before that, like many, I thought it meant dissociative identity disorder.

I suppose, but I would have thought that EVENTUALLY people would become aware of what Schizophrenia isn't. As you say, you discovered what it was in the 9th Grade (I'm not sure what age that is), and I would have thought people would eventually learn what it is. Instead it's become some saying which I have never heard anyone point out to be incorrect.
A recent article (may have been on the BBC) also points out the error regarding King Canute and the proverbial holding back of the tide (correct use of proverbial, I think...). The error is of little 'importance' in comparison, the King Canute story I'm sure is less common in comparison to Schizophrenia and much more trivial an error.