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Previous Thread Next Thread Print Thread mistaken and wrong #157625 03/23/2006 7:57 PM Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,891 belMarduk Carpal Tunnel belMarduk Carpal Tunnel Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 2,891 The thread by wordsearcher reminded me of a discussion I've had with Hubby a couple of times. I think telling somebody they are "wrong" is a more agressive statement than telling somebody that they are "mistaken." I can't put my finger on exactly why, because in both cases, the person is incorrect, but that's the distinct impression I have. Does anybody have an opinion on this? Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: mistaken and wrong #157626 03/23/2006 8:05 PM Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 6,511 lower upstate New York AnnaStrophic Carpal Tunnel AnnaStrophic Carpal Tunnel Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 6,511 lower upstate New York I think "wrong" carries the weight of a value judgement. So you're right, or taken, if you prefer. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: mistaken and wrong #157627 03/23/2006 11:55 PM Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,757 maverick Carpal Tunnel maverick Carpal Tunnel Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,757 I think it's because the mistake version is at one remove, whereas in declaring someone to be "wrong" you are impugning their whole person. It's reminiscent of the difference alluded to by those who differentiate between 'hating the sin but still loving the sinner', or the example of the loving parent who marks disaproval of an unnaceptable action without loading the child with fear and self-loathing - "bad action, not bad person", if that makes sense? Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: mistaken and wrong #157628 03/24/2006 2:06 PM Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 6,511 lower upstate New York AnnaStrophic Carpal Tunnel AnnaStrophic Carpal Tunnel Joined: Mar 2000 Posts: 6,511 lower upstate New York Yeah! That's what I was clumsily trying to say (but didn't think it all the way through), I think. Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Re: mistaken and wrong #157629 03/24/2006 2:13 PM Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,757 maverick Carpal Tunnel maverick Carpal Tunnel Joined: Sep 2000 Posts: 4,757 Think I was the clumsy one there, ASp - I just couldn't find a succint way of saying it, too tired mebbe. Not that I'm saying you're wrong... Copy Link to Clipboard Share Post on Facebook Share Post on Twitter Moderated by  Jackie  Hop To General Topics ------  Information and announcements  Q&A about words  Wordplay and fun  Words and languages in schools  Miscellany  Weekly Themes  Looking for (writers, speakers,... (Old) Weekly themes. (have been... ------  Words from medicine  Beheading words  Meta-words  Words from classical mythology  Animal Safari  Words with unusual etymologies  Eponyms or words derived from p...  Loanwords from German  English as a global language Print Thread Switch to Threaded Mode Show Likes Link Copied to Clipboard View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary View Profile Private Message Follow User Forum Posts Like Summary

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