As we all know, word definitions change over time. In this age of instant online communication, its happening faster than ever. Listening to NPR and frequenting these forums have brought quite a few of these new definitions to my attention, and listed below are some that caused me particular confusion until I deduced the new definitions:
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Partisan
Original definiton: of, pertaining to, or characteristic of partisans; partial to a specific party, person, etc.: partisan politics.
New definition: Lack of unconditional agreement with the speaker.
Compromise
Original definition: A settlement of differences in which each side makes concessions.
New definition: Unconditional agreement with the speaker.
Bilateral
Original Definition: pertaining to, involving, or affecting two or both sides, factions, parties, or the like.
New Definition: Unilateral.
Bias
Original definition: a particular tendency or inclination, esp. one that prevents unprejudiced consideration of a question; prejudice.
New definition: A lack of unconditional agreement with the speaker.
Garbage
Original definition: Any matter that is no longer wanted or needed; trash.
New definiton: A game for a console the speaker does not own.
Fact
Original definition: Something that actually exists; reality; truth.
New definiton: Opinion.
Example sentences:
"If the other party would stop practicing partisan politics, we could reach a bilateral compromise."
"Its a known fact that the reviewer is biased, since he gave the game a decent score even though it's garbage."
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Hopefully this will help you to avoid the confusion I suffered over the use of these terms.