Latest news with #Merriam-Webster
The Hill
14 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
How the AP decided to refer to the conflict between Israel and Iran as a war
The Associated Press is calling the current conflict between Israel and Iran a war, given the scope, intensity and duration of military activities on both sides. Other news organizations also have decided to refer to the conflict as a war, while some are still sticking with words such as 'conflict' or 'fighting.' When a conflict in the world spills into military action, it's important to use the correct terms to describe it. Sometimes a one-sided attack occurs without further action, or a conflict bubbles up and then ends quickly Using 'war' widely to describe these kinds of situations can diminish the word's importance. Then, when actual war breaks out, people might not understand its significance. The Merriam-Webster definition of war is quite broad: 'A state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations,' or 'a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism.' The fight between Israel and Iran meets those criteria, though neither has officially declared war. Since Israel launched an air campaign targeting Iran's military and nuclear program, there has been a significant escalation in the conflict. Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones into Israel. Israel has assassinated high-level Iranian officials; targeted the country's infrastructure; called for hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate Iran's capital, Tehran; and said it will continue its offensive. The AP provided guidance on the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war in the days and weeks after fighting began. In both cases, editors considered the number of casualties, the intensity of fighting, the involvement of each party, and what each country was calling the conflict. In both cases, the AP started using the word 'war' to describe the conflicts. AP capitalizes the word 'war' only as part of a formal name, which as of now does not exist. Decisions on how AP uses the term 'war' happen in real time. AP's news leaders and standards editors will continue to monitor developments to see whether changes are necessary. At this point, the level of fighting constitutes the countries being at war, no matter what happens next. If fighting were to end soon, AP would continue saying the countries had been at war. News leaders would consider whether the level of fighting at that time amounted to being at war. If other countries intervene in the war, AP would describe the intervention as military action in support of Israel or military support of Iran. AP would also consider whether the action constitutes those countries also being at war.
Winnipeg Free Press
14 hours ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
How the AP decided to refer to the conflict between Israel and Iran as a war
The Associated Press is calling the current conflict between Israel and Iran a war, given the scope, intensity and duration of military activities on both sides. Other news organizations also have decided to refer to the conflict as a war, while some are still sticking with words such as 'conflict' or 'fighting.' Why does it matter? When a conflict in the world spills into military action, it's important to use the correct terms to describe it. Sometimes a one-sided attack occurs without further action, or a conflict bubbles up and then ends quickly Using 'war' widely to describe these kinds of situations can diminish the word's importance. Then, when actual war breaks out, people might not understand its significance. What does the AP consider? The Merriam-Webster definition of war is quite broad: 'A state of usually open and declared armed hostile conflict between states or nations,' or 'a state of hostility, conflict, or antagonism.' The fight between Israel and Iran meets those criteria, though neither has officially declared war. Since Israel launched an air campaign targeting Iran's military and nuclear program, there has been a significant escalation in the conflict. Iran has launched hundreds of missiles and drones into Israel. Israel has assassinated high-level Iranian officials; targeted the country's infrastructure; called for hundreds of thousands of residents to evacuate Iran's capital, Tehran; and said it will continue its offensive. What are previous examples of conflicts where the AP issued guidance to use the word 'war'? The AP provided guidance on the Russia-Ukraine war and the Israel-Hamas war in the days and weeks after fighting began. In both cases, editors considered the number of casualties, the intensity of fighting, the involvement of each party, and what each country was calling the conflict. In both cases, the AP started using the word 'war' to describe the conflicts. Why is it 'war' and not 'War'? AP capitalizes the word 'war' only as part of a formal name, which as of now does not exist. Could the guidance change? Decisions on how AP uses the term 'war' happen in real time. AP's news leaders and standards editors will continue to monitor developments to see whether changes are necessary. At this point, the level of fighting constitutes the countries being at war, no matter what happens next. If fighting were to end soon, AP would continue saying the countries had been at war. News leaders would consider whether the level of fighting at that time amounted to being at war. If other countries intervene in the war, AP would describe the intervention as military action in support of Israel or military support of Iran. AP would also consider whether the action constitutes those countries also being at war.
Metro
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Metro
11 weird English words that you probably never knew existed
Link is copied Comments Language is constantly evolving, and words that might once have been common in everyday usage have fallen from favour - while others we might never have thought of using have become popular. But however well-spoken we might consider ourselves to be, there are always going to be some words out there which confound even the most knowledgeable linguist. Read on for some of the most unusual words you're likely to come across in the dictionary - and just what they really mean (Picture: Getty Images) If you have any knowledge of Latin you might already be able to guess what this one means - 'fenestra is the Latin word for 'window' and 'defenestrate' takes that one step further - it's a verb which means simply 'to throw someone or something out of a window'. It does have a second definition however, which is a swift dismissal or expulsion, and is often used when someone in a political party or office loses their post abruptly. The most famous example of this came in 1618 when two imperial regents who were found guilty of violating religious freedoms were thrown from the window of Prague Castle and survived, sparking off a chain of events which led to the Thirty Years War in Europe (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) If you're a fan of hitting the dancefloor whenever your favourite song comes on you might find it useful to know this one - it means to 'dance clumsily without any particular grace or skill but usually with enjoyment'. Which could mean dad dancing, throwing shapes after a couple of really. As far as using it in a sentence? Try 'I don't dance, I balter' (Picture: Getty Images) You'd be hard pressed to find a word as weird and fabulous as this - but it's got a pretty straightforward definition, as a snollygoster means quite simply 'an unscrupulous, untrustworthy person'. Merriam-Webster explains that the word came into the lexicon in the 1800s, and was particularly popular in the Deep South of America, where it was particularly used as a derogatory way of describing politicians. So if you hear it used at all around the time of the next election you'll know why (Picture: Getty Images) This one might sound a bit old-fashioned, but once again it's not overly complicated - it means to have 'careless or illegible handwriting' or, according to Merriam-Webster 'careless handwriting : a crude or illegible scrawl'. The word is actually derived from the French word 'griffonner' which means to make meaningless drawings and scribbles - so as well as messy handwriting it also covers those random notepad doodles you might make when talking on the phone or as a distraction (Picture: Getty Images) If you're one of those people who can't lift their head off the pillow the second the alarm goes off, then this one is for you, as it actually means 'the state of finding it hard to get up in the morning'. The Sleep Foundation says it is s 'closely associated with clinomania, which is an obsession with or profound desire for staying in bed' and, while it is not a standalone disorder, it could be a 'symptom of another condition' (Picture: Getty Images) This one is one a lot of you can no doubt identify with - taken from the Greek words for 'cat' and 'lover', it means 'a person who likes cats'. And if you don't like cats? Then you'd be known as an 'ailurophobe', which once again comes from the Greek word for 'cat', together with the word for 'fearing' or 'adverse to' (Picture: Getty Images) This one is a bit scientific - it's the word that refers to the dots you see in front of your eyes when you rub them. Merriam-Webster translates it thus: 'an impression of light that occurs without light entering the eye and is usually caused by stimulation of the retina (as by pressure on the eyeball when the lid is closed) or by excitation of neurons in the visual system (as by transcranial magnetic stimulation)' (Picture: Getty Images) If you're that person in the cinema with the overly noisy laugh then this word is for you, since it means 'to laugh loudly or immoderately'. The origins of cachinnate are unclear, but the Oxford English Dictionary has suggested it may have its origins in Latin, and it was first used in the writing of Thomas de Quincey in 1824 (Picture: Getty Images/Tetra images RF) Ever woken up and felt like one of your limbs has gone to sleep? Then it's possible you have a touch of parasthesia, which is defined as 'a sensation of pricking, tingling, or creeping on the skin that has no objective cause'. In some cases it can be caused by something as simple as pins and needles or the sensation of a dead arm or leg due to your sleeping position, due to temporary lack of blood flow. However it can also be a sign of something more serious, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, nerve injury or even a tumour. So if your symptoms persist or become chronic you should always get checked out by a health professional (Picture: Getty Images) You might have come across this one if you're an auntie or uncle - as it is a gender-neutral term which is used to refer to a sibling's child instead of 'niece' or 'nephew'. Merriam-Webster states that the term was first coined in the 1950s, but spent several decades in obscurity before becoming popular again in recent years - eventually entering the Collins Dictionary in 2012 (Picture: Getty Images) This one might sound a bit complicated - but actually it's a word used to describe someone who has been divorced five times. Sound a bit specific? Yep, we thought so too. The specific origins of this word are unclear, but given that 'penta' is a word of ancient Greek origin which means 'five', and 'apopemptic' is a separate word which according to Collins Dictionary means 'relating to departure' or 'parting address', suddenly it all starts to make sense (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) This article was originally published in May 2024 Your free newsletter guide to the best London has on offer, from drinks deals to restaurant reviews.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
People Can't Believe Eric Trump Actually Just Used This Wildly Derogatory Term During An Interview
Eric Trump on Monday was slammed for his use of a highly offensive term during an interview. President Donald Trump's son ― talking with conservative influencer Benny Johnson — was criticizing people who are protesting the immigration crackdowns by his father's administration in Los Angeles when he described those who had attacked police cars as 'mongoloids.' Eric Trump describes LA protesters as "mongoloids" — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 16, 2025 @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via Merriam-Webster defines the word 'mongoloid' as a dated and 'now offensive' term to describe 'a person affected with Down syndrome.' Critics on social media slammed Trump as 'disgusting' for making the 'dehumanizing' comment. But "deplorables" led to weeks of tantrums. — Sally VW (@actorgrrrl) June 16, 2025 @actorgrrrl / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via Related: Well, Well, Well, For The Second Time In 2 Weeks, People Are Letting JD Vance Know EXACTLY How They Feel About Him In Public Trump calls protesters 'mongoloids' — straight-up slur on national Trump brand isn't just toxic. It's proudly cruel. When do we say enough? — AnatolijUkraine (@AnatoliUkraine) June 16, 2025 @AnatoliUkraine / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via nazi talk... — Lawrence Fitzgerald (@lwfitzgerald) June 16, 2025 @lwfitzgerald / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via Related: "Let Them Eat Teslas": People At The "No Kings" Protests This Weekend Brought Signs That Were So Clever I'm Still Laughing About Them He's so disgusting. — Berngirl (@BGminimom) June 16, 2025 @BGminimom / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via They are all so disgusting. Such a totally disgusting family. — Mary Ann Lissau (@nose4rose) June 16, 2025 @nose4rose / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via Dehumanizing people is essential to carrying out the next phases. — AC Tatum (@actatumonline) June 16, 2025 @actatumonline / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via This is the term they used 50 years ago about people who have down syndrome. The whole family are just atrocious human beings. — Bekah Freitas (@rebekahkfreitas) June 16, 2025 @rebekahkfreitas / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in In the News: This Conservative Said He Wears A Fake ICE Uniform For A Really, Really, Really Gross Reason Also in In the News: "Honestly Speechless At How Evil This Is": 26 Brutal, Brutal, Brutal Political Tweets Of The Week Also in In the News: This Dem Lawmaker Is Going Viral For His Extremely Shady Question To Secretary Kristi Noem
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
"He's So Disgusting": Eric Trump Is Being Dragged For Using A Slur When Describing LA Protesters
Eric Trump on Monday was slammed for his use of a highly offensive term during an interview. President Donald Trump's son ― talking with conservative influencer Benny Johnson — was criticizing people who are protesting the immigration crackdowns by his father's administration in Los Angeles when he described those who had attacked police cars as 'mongoloids.' Eric Trump describes LA protesters as "mongoloids" — Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) June 16, 2025 @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via Merriam-Webster defines the word 'mongoloid' as a dated and 'now offensive' term to describe 'a person affected with Down syndrome.' Critics on social media slammed Trump as 'disgusting' for making the 'dehumanizing' comment. But "deplorables" led to weeks of tantrums. — Sally VW (@actorgrrrl) June 16, 2025 @actorgrrrl / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via Related: Well, Well, Well, For The Second Time In 2 Weeks, People Are Letting JD Vance Know EXACTLY How They Feel About Him In Public Trump calls protesters 'mongoloids' — straight-up slur on national Trump brand isn't just toxic. It's proudly cruel. When do we say enough? — AnatolijUkraine (@AnatoliUkraine) June 16, 2025 @AnatoliUkraine / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via nazi talk... — Lawrence Fitzgerald (@lwfitzgerald) June 16, 2025 @lwfitzgerald / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via Related: This Dem Lawmaker Is Going Viral For His Extremely Shady Question To Secretary Kristi Noem He's so disgusting. — Berngirl (@BGminimom) June 16, 2025 @BGminimom / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via They are all so disgusting. Such a totally disgusting family. — Mary Ann Lissau (@nose4rose) June 16, 2025 @nose4rose / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via Dehumanizing people is essential to carrying out the next phases. — AC Tatum (@actatumonline) June 16, 2025 @actatumonline / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via This is the term they used 50 years ago about people who have down syndrome. The whole family are just atrocious human beings. — Bekah Freitas (@rebekahkfreitas) June 16, 2025 @rebekahkfreitas / @atrupar / The Benny Show / Via This article originally appeared on HuffPost. Also in In the News: This Conservative Said He Wears A Fake ICE Uniform For A Really, Really, Really Gross Reason Also in In the News: "Honestly Speechless At How Evil This Is": 26 Brutal, Brutal, Brutal Political Tweets Of The Week Also in In the News: "Let Them Eat Teslas": People At The "No Kings" Protests This Weekend Brought Signs That Were So Clever I'm Still Laughing About Them
