Do words matter? Is it “hone” or “home in”
May 18th, 2011 § Leave a Comment
By Steve Quinn
Bear with me. Once this is done I can let it go!
I’m curious about the dynamics of language and how it changes over time so that in some cases words come to have new meanings. So, I’m ok with that aspect of language and yet I’m sometimes irked by apostrophes in the wrong place or words that get misused.
Here’s an example. Is it “home in” or “hone in”. Amidst all the political debate here in Scotland last week I heard a couple of commentators use “hone in” when they meant to focus or zoom in on something. Of course they really ought to have used “home in” and that’s the area of confusion.
I’m an engineer so for me honing has a particular meaning. Essentially it’s about producing a highly polished precision surface using abrasive material. It can also be applied to sharpening a knife or tool. Nothing here about homing devices, or focus or GPS…
There, it’s done. My irkedness (is that a word?) is satisfied.
Enjoy Spring.
Steve
