Hi alexander -- on Mar 31 2018 at 23:28, you wrote:


ak> I guess that it is the way how words change their meaning or get
ak> additional ones. People who know the word poorly may use it in their
ak> own way. If such people are heard by many the new meaning begins to
ak> live its own life. And the dictionary has no choice but to add the
ak> new entry.

Actually, I disagree. A dictionary may choose between being prescriptive or
descriptive. It would appear that most are choosing to be descriptive, but I
(and quite a few others) disagree with that decision and tend to choose our
dictionaries on that basis.

ak> https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/crescendo

The first definition they give is completely correct. The second, however, is a
 misuse which they themselves recognize by adding the word
"climax" (which IS
the correct work).

ak> From another side: can we make the confrontation stronger? If it can
ak> become stronger we can escalate it, as we can escalate any crisis.

Here again, MW gives 2 definitions; the first is correct and cannot be
escalated (a face to face meeting just is!) and the second definition again is
a misuse as they indicate by adding "Conflict" to the definition
(which CAN be
escalated).

ak> I should read more good books. ;-)

I would hesitate to say "more", since I don't know how many you
read now, but
certainly "good" would be, um, good. :-)


Cheers... Dallas

--- timEd/NT 1.30+