• @morrowind@lemmy.ml
    link
    fedilink
    22 months ago

    I didn’t say the main meaning can’t change, just that you can’t remove it from said meaning by using it in a different context

    • the post of tom joad
      link
      fedilink
      22 months ago

      just that you can’t remove it from said meaning by using it in a different context

      I’m afraid i don’t follow (no sarcasm). Can you elaborate?

      • @morrowind@lemmy.ml
        link
        fedilink
        22 months ago

        The main meaning of a word can change, but at any given time, you can’t use the word in a different context, and expect how people receive it to be completely divorced from its current main meaning

        • Zier
          link
          fedilink
          32 months ago

          This is true, which is why context matters. Like if you love a song so much and say, “That’s sick!”, people might think you mean “ill” and assume something negative.