Over recent years, to beg the question has been used as a synonym for "to raise the question", or to indicate that "the question really ought to be addressed". This usage is often sharply criticized by proponents of the traditional meaning, but has nonetheless come into sufficiently widespread use that it is now the most common use of the term.
Many people unaware of the technical meaning of "to beg the question" in logic use it in one of two looser senses. The first of these, "to evade the question, to duck the issue", is attested since 1860 (WDEU). The second, "to invite the obvious question, (with an inanimate subject) to raise the question", is now the most commonly heard use of the phrase, although we have found no mention of it prior to The Oxford Guide to English Usage, 1st edition (1983), and it is not yet in most dictionaries. Shel "Am I paranoid or perceptive?" > [Original Message] > From: Kostas Kavoussanakis <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> > To: <[email protected]> > Date: 9/15/2005 11:45:25 PM > Subject: Re: It's Here and It Works! > > On Thu, 15 Sep 2005, John Francis wrote: > > > To "beg a question" is to side-step it, and to assume the answer; > > to ignore the fact that there possibly might be a question there. > > Isn't this what he meant? It's certainly what he ought to do if he is > happy with his method! > > Only i don't think Shel shoots slides (mode akin to the metering digi > requires), but he can adjust. > > Kostas
