It has become apparent that the new leadership in this country is having a hard time with the definitions of certain terms that civilized adults should not be having problems with. This is a large issue for everyone and since I’m such a helpful person, I’m going to list a few definitions to help whomever may need them.
- truth:
- 1a archaic : fidelity, constancy b : sincerity in action, character, and utterance
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2a (1) : the state of being the case : fact (2) : the body of real things, events, and facts : actuality (3) often capitalized : a transcendent fundamental or spiritual reality b : a judgment, proposition, or idea that is true or accepted as true <truths of thermodynamics>c : the body of true statements and propositions
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3a : the property (as of a statement) of being in accord with fact or reality b chiefly British : true 2c : fidelity to an original or to a standard
2. lie:
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1 : to make an untrue statement with intent to deceive <She was lying when she said she didn’t break the vase.> <He lied about his past experience.>
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2 : to create a false or misleading impression <Statistics sometimes lie.> <The mirror never lies.>
There is very little gray area with these two in regards to statements. either something you say is true or it is a lie. No need use distracting language, oh wait…
While I’m here this also brings me to…
- Fact:
- 1 : a thing done: such as a obsolete : feat b : crime <accessory after the fact> c archaic : action
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2 archaic : performance, doing
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3 : the quality of being actual : actuality <a question of fact hinges on evidence>
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4a : something that has actual existence <space exploration is now a fact>b : an actual occurrence <prove the fact of damage>
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5 : a piece of information presented as having objective reality <These are the hard facts of the case.>
- Opinion:
- 1a : a view, judgment, or appraisal formed in the mind about a particular matter <We asked them for their opinions about the new stadium.> b : approval, esteem <I have no great opinion of his work.>
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2a : belief stronger than impression and less strong than positive knowledge <a person of rigid opinions> b : a generally held view <news programs that shape public opinion>
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3a : a formal expression of judgment or advice by an expert <My doctor says that I need an operation, but I’m going to get a second opinion.> b : the formal expression (as by a judge, court, or referee) of the legal reasons and principles upon which a legal decision is based <The article discusses the recent Supreme Court opinion.>
Fact does not equal opinion and opinion does not equal fact. To believe that these terms are interchangeable is a dangerous fallacy. People have died because of this. This shouldn’t be news to anyone.
The language you use has meaning. The language you use is important. As an adult, you should be held accountable for using language incorrectly. The internet is a thing. There is no excuse.
–All definitions from Merriam-Webster online