# An inapropos thread **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [November 23, 2005, 7:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456 "2005-11-23T19:20:37Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/21 "2005-11-23T19:54:53Z")
> [@Roderick Femm](#): > > No, not unless you would say “The parts include the whole”, which they don’t. Check your math. You’re using the “compose” mnemonic. > [@Roderick Femm](#): > > Nor does comprise = include. Comprise is all-inclusive, Include is not. > > For example: > > My library includes a set of encyclopedias. > My library comprises several hundred books. I didn’t mean to suggest that it was perfectly equal and interchangeable. It’s a mnemonic for _usage_, not a replacement of the definition. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 7:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/22 "2005-11-23T19:58:15Z")
I understand that MANY people use the words “comprise” and “compose” interchangeably. I understand that, descriptively, “comprise” DOES equal “compose” to many people. I understand that this usage has become common enough to qualify as a battle lost. But I’m not making this shit up. Google “[compose comprise](http://www.google.com/search?q=compose+comprise&sourceid=mozilla-search&start=0&start=0&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official)” for many, many articles that address this usage question. ---
**Author:** ![Roderick\_Femm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/roderick_femm/32/14875_2.png) [@Roderick\_Femm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Roderick_Femm)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/23 "2005-11-23T20:00:41Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > Check your math. You’re using the “compose” mnemonic. Check your own post. You wrote “Compose = Include”. I included the second part on the assumption that you mis-typed and intended to say “Comprise = Include”. As for this: > [@lissener](#): > > I didn’t mean to suggest that it was perfectly equal and interchangeable. It’s a mnemonic for usage, not a replacement of the definition. isn’t there a better sign than = to indicate similar but not identical? ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/24 "2005-11-23T20:03:36Z")
> [@Roderick Femm](#): > > Check your own post. You wrote “Compose = Include”. I included the second part on the assumption that you mis-typed and intended to say “Comprise = Include”. Sheesh, sorry. That should be “comprise = include.” But again, that’s just a reminder of usage, not a definition. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/25 "2005-11-23T20:17:13Z")
> [@ivylass](#): > > **Impact** is not a verb. Something has an _impact_, it is not _impacting_ on you. Well, it _is_ a verb; I just don’t see why people can’t use the perfectly fine word _affect_. In fact, _impact_ had the advantage/distinction of connoting physical contact. But it’s too late to change these things that bother us here. It’s not like Peter Jennings is assiduously checking the SDMB for the monthly rants about English usage. ---
**Author:** ![Nutty\_Bunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/d07c76/32.png) [@Nutty\_Bunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nutty_Bunny)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 8:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/26 "2005-11-23T20:35:15Z")
I agree with **lissener**. Common misusage annoys me because it’s the people who misuse a word that are changing the language. There was a pretty heated battle over a particular word in a recent thread in which I argued that people were using the word incorrectly, thus making it difficult to convey it’s original meaning. > [@guizot](#): > > But it’s too late to change these things that bother us here. It’s not like Peter Jennings is assiduously checking the SDMB for the monthly rants about English usage. Well, certainly not anymore. Since he’s, ya know…dead. [sub]I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it.[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![Sternvogel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/bc79bd/32.png) [@Sternvogel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sternvogel)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/27 "2005-11-23T20:55:24Z")
> [@Nutty Bunny](#): > > There was a pretty heated battle over a particular word in a recent thread in which I argued that people were using the word incorrectly, thus making it difficult to convey **it’s** original meaning. Ah, **Gaudere** , _it’s_ so nice to see you again! I’m always interested in your law and _its_ applications! 😃 ---
**Author:** ![h.sapiens](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e0b2c6/32.png) [@h.sapiens](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/h.sapiens)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/28 "2005-11-23T21:16:15Z")
> [@ultrafilter](#): > > Prescriptivist nogoodniks! Band name! ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 9:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/29 "2005-11-23T21:37:02Z")
The beauty of language is that it is malleable. We give new meaning to words by stretching their context. Personally, I think anybody that would seek to alter or limit the creative use of language should be considered as a Persona au gratin. ---
**Author:** ![guizot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guizot/32/3636_2.png) [@guizot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/guizot)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/30 "2005-11-23T22:12:31Z")
> [@Nutty Bunny](#): > > I agree with **lissener**. Common misusage annoys me because it’s the people who misuse a word that are changing the language. There was a pretty heated battle over a particular word in a recent thread in which I argued that people were using the word incorrectly, thus making it difficult to convey it’s original meaning. > > Well, certainly not anymore. Since he’s, ya know…dead. > > [sub]I’m sorry. I couldn’t help it.[/sub] Well I asked for it; all those guys are the same to me. I meant the guy who just retired. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 10:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/31 "2005-11-23T22:21:24Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > The beauty of language is that it is malleable. We give new meaning to words by stretching their context. > > Personally, I think anybody that would seek to alter or limit the creative use of language should be considered as a Persona au gratin. I agree 100%. ---
**Author:** ![Homebrew](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/c89c15/32.png) [@Homebrew](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Homebrew)\ **Post date:** [November 23, 2005, 11:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/32 "2005-11-23T23:58:44Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > So . . . this is, for you, a question of whether Homebrew, himself, personally, individually, uses the word epitome correctly, or whether the word is frequently misused by many people. > > Mods, can someone please Homebrew’s name to the thread title? Maybe, to be safe, to the forum title? Thanks. I just thought the Humpty Dumpty quote was apropos to the thread. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 12:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/33 "2005-11-24T00:01:34Z")
> [@Homebrew](#): > > I just thought the Humpty Dumpty quote was apropos to the thread. Now you’re just being disingenius. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/34 "2005-11-24T00:37:52Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > Now you’re just being disingenius. No; you’re vastly oversimplifying and mischaracterizing the nature of my specific objections, if that snarky driveby was meant for me. I do, in fact, agree with your statement completely. In fact it’s that sentiment that is in large part the impetus of my objections. Reading the entire thread–for comprehension, not just for style–might go a long way toward helping you understand. ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/35 "2005-11-24T00:40:57Z")
Can you say “whooooosh?” ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 12:41am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/36 "2005-11-24T00:41:09Z")
> [@Homebrew](#): > > I just thought the Humpty Dumpty quote was apropos to the thread. I’m sorry; I was receiving snark on all channels. But you ARE using “apropos” ironically, aren’t you? ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 12:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/37 "2005-11-24T00:43:43Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > I’m sorry; I was receiving snark on all channels. No prob. Remember, authenticate **before** you offendicate. else you will find yourself suffering an ignomanious denowment. ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 12:44am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/38 "2005-11-24T00:44:04Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > Can you say “whooooosh?” 😕 Because you misspelled “disingenuous”? Sorry, too subtle for me. It’s a misspelling I’ve seen before so it did not occur to me that you were being ironic. So yes, I will say “whooooosh.” 🆒 ---
**Author:** ![Scylla](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a5b964/32.png) [@Scylla](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Scylla)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/39 "2005-11-24T00:46:39Z")
> [@lissener](#): > > 😕 > > Because you misspelled “disingenuous”? Sorry, too subtle for me. It’s a misspelling I’ve seen before so it did not occur to me that you were being ironic. So yes, I will say “whooooosh.” > > 🆒 A misspelling? I thought “disingenius” means to be craftily dishonest. If it doesn’t it should. (now I’m being disingenuous) ---
**Author:** ![lissener](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lissener/32/6139_2.png) [@lissener](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lissener)\ **Post date:** [November 24, 2005, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456/40 "2005-11-24T01:42:25Z")
> [@Scylla](#): > > A misspelling? I thought “disingenius” means to be craftily dishonest. If it doesn’t it should. > > (now I’m being disingenuous) You know, if you think I’m being craftily dishonest, you should come out and say so, so I can respond. If not, then I’ll make with another whoosh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/an-inapropos-thread/332456.md?page=3)