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Joined: Jul 2003
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Carpal Tunnel
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OP
Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Jul 2003
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A NZ barrister, newly elected to our House of Representatives, and an interesting use of the word "self": http://www.stuff.co.nz/stuff/0,2106,3414421a14095,00.htmlIt's certainly not the way I would use "self-define", since those doing the defining are not the person being defined, but maybe I'm just reading it incorrectly?
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Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,027
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,027 |
Since Mr Finlayson studied Latin, French and Law he probably feels entitled to re-define words. He seems to mean "define in their own private way". Elsewhere too, an inflationary use of the prefix "self-" is to be observed, e.g. the omnipresent "self-organised".
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 273
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 273 |
I would "self-define" him as not particularly good at clear expression: In reply to:
"I consider myself not a conservative at all. I consider myself a liberal, a liberal conservative."
(e.a.)
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,851 Likes: 2
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 10,851 Likes: 2 |
Nothing so revolutionary here! Strephon, who was half a fairy, did exactly that:
FAIRY QUEEN:.... I've a borough or two at my disposal. Would you like to go into Parliament?
IOLANTHE: A fairy Member! That would be delightful!
STREPHON: I'm afraid I should do no good there - you see, down to the waist, I'm a Tory of the most determined description, but my legs are a couple of confounded Radicals, and, on a division, they'd be sure to take me into the wrong lobby. You see, they're two to one, which is a strong working majority.
QUEEN: Don't let that distress you; you shall be returned as a Liberal-Conservative, and your legs shall be our peculiar care...
-- Iolanthe, Act I (emphasis added)
You don't suppose that the good Mr Finlayson was being simultaneously erudite, clever, and ironic, all rolled into one?
[Edit: And on a more serious note - is that a peculiar use of "peculiar"? It was, after all, over a hundred years ago. from context it means particular and specific.]
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 273
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2001
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>You don't suppose that the good Mr Finlayson was being simultaneously erudite, clever, and ironic, all rolled into one?
I have no issue with the label liberal-conservative, except when it is used immediately following an assertion that he is no sort of conservative at all.
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661 |
I have no issue with the label liberal-conservative..
But would you have an issue with conservative-liberal? Is this an NZ *thing?
Because of the US'ns prevailing *dichotomy having a significant effect, I would have issue with either of thair use... but I suppose I live here. <wink>
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Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 273
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2001
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> liberal-conservative.. I think of it as a sort of social/fiscal comparison. Socially liberal, fiscally conservative. As here: http://www.digitalronin.f2s.com/politicalcompass/
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Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,661
Carpal Tunnel
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Carpal Tunnel
Joined: Dec 2000
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Ah... the old apples-oranges issue?! :)
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Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,154 |
Labels don't mean much here in British Columbia where the liberal party is the far right of our political spectrum. Go figure.
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Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 247
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2001
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It's certainly not the way I would use "self-define", since those doing the defining are not the person being defined, but maybe I'm just reading it incorrectly?
"It is not the way anyone would use self-define", says sjmaxq.
But, with respect, that's the point, sjmaxq.
This individual is trying to say something quotable. You don't say something quotable by saying something everyone else says.
You say something everyone else doesn't say.
That's how you get quoted.
Savvy politician.
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