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Erik Olson <erik@olson.pair.com> wrote:
> One clue is they had to use an adverb to make the meaning. impact as a
> metaphorical verb is a new and awkward shortcut for "to make an impact". If
> over time everybody understands that 'to impact' means 'to place a burden
> on', then it will be fine for pathologies to impact, but as a metaphor it
> conjures up meteorite images that are just silly. A translation of "to
> impact" would still sound better in that context.
What makes you think the meteorite imagery wasn't intended? In fact, it's
exactly the reason the word is chosen: it implies a quick, overwhelming, and
hard-to-unavoid effect. If your complaint is about excessive hyperbole,
okay, you have a point -- but that's different than complaining that the
words are being used incorrectly.
> Meanwhile it's one of those usages that creates a sleep-inducing report,
> like too many passive verbs.
I'll agree that *that's* a problem.
> And how about those impacted schedules. And "My schedule was impacted by a
> showstopper" misuses two words (or do two wrongs make a right?). A moment of
Heh. That one brings up images of impacted wisdom teeth.
--
Matthew Miller mattdm@mattdm.org <http://www.mattdm.org/>
Boston University Linux ------> <http://linux.bu.edu/>
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Message has 1 Reply:
 | | Re: Geek Speak?
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| (...) Yeah, but they're talking about slow processes monitored over years! How can soft, fuzzy things deserve this metaphor? Try these on: "Increased sunlight seems to impact plant growth" "The volcanic eruption will impact wildlife populations" (...) (22 years ago, 16-Nov-02, to lugnet.off-topic.fun, lugnet.off-topic.geek)
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Message is in Reply To:
| | Re: Geek Speak?
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| (...) One clue is they had to use an adverb to make the meaning. impact as a metaphorical verb is a new and awkward shortcut for "to make an impact". If over time everybody understands that 'to impact' means 'to place a burden on', then it will be (...) (22 years ago, 15-Nov-02, to lugnet.off-topic.fun, lugnet.off-topic.geek)
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