Science Memes

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[–] credo@lemmy.world 2 points 2 months ago

I saw both links pop up as well. I opted to go with the first, standard, book— webster’s instead of cherry picking.

The problem is, both meanings are correct. However, the “troublesome” definition is primary.. and look at the example given:

1 to spread or swarm in or over in a troublesome manner

shark-infested waters

2 to live in or on as a parasite

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[–] Rothe@piefed.social 0 points 2 months ago (3 children)

We are aware of the dictionary definition. OP was precisely about arguing that that definition is a based on a fallacy.

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[–] quediuspayu@lemmy.dbzer0.com 2 points 2 months ago (2 children)

Where is the fallacy?

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[–] BossDj@piefed.social 0 points 2 months ago (1 child)

Present where they are unwanted, but often used to describe their natural habitat.

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[–] quediuspayu@lemmy.dbzer0.com 1 point 2 months ago* (last edited 2 months ago)

I see. The word infested has nothing to do with being their natural habitats or not, it means that there's plenty of an animal we don't want for whatever reason, otherwise we would say that it is rich in those animals.

Edit: Oh, second I see. The fallacy is that they are using a wrong definition that is creeping into a common use of the word not yet in the dictionary.