Previously, there was a thread on the use of the word "Procrustean" (among other things).
But now it occurs to me that the compound word "one-size-fits-all" seems
to say exactly the same thing in the same number of syllables, using much more common and easily accessible vocab? Furthermore, the cost
in increased characters would appear small.
On 5/24/2022 9:06 AM, peps...@gmail.com wrote:
Previously, there was a thread on the use of the word "Procrustean" (among other things).There is certainly a difference in connotation.
But now it occurs to me that the compound word "one-size-fits-all" seems
to say exactly the same thing in the same number of syllables, using much more common and easily accessible vocab? Furthermore, the cost
in increased characters would appear small.
"One-size-fits-all" makes me think of socks that can stretch to
accommodate feet of all different sizes. Something invented by
an ingenious entrepreneur.
On 5/26/2022 4:15 AM, peps...@gmail.com wrote:
However, "Procrustean" (as I understand it) (almost) never has positive connotations.There are other reasons to use "procrustean." A person
I'm not convinced that the word "Procrustean" is therefore necessary (or even particularly valuable)
since when "one-size-fits-all" is used as a synonym for "Procrustean", I think the meaning is clear.
can be described as procrustean. It would be odd, and would
not really convey the same meaning, to say that a person is "one-size-fits-all."
Also, even if used with a negative connotation, "one-size-fits-all"
does not necessarily suggest that anything is being forcibly altered
in order to fit into a fixed framework. If I'm an editor and you
submit a photo to be published, then a procrustean approach suggests
that I'll crop your photo, perhaps in a grotesque manner, to fit the
space that I've allotted. A one-size-fits-all approach might mean
that I enlarge or shrink your photo to fit the space.
However, "Procrustean" (as I understand it) (almost) never has positive connotations.
I'm not convinced that the word "Procrustean" is therefore necessary (or even particularly valuable)
since when "one-size-fits-all" is used as a synonym for "Procrustean", I think the meaning is clear.
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