Common Misconceptions

[Janus]

That the term "factoid" means a trivial but interesting fact, when it actual means something presented as a fact but isn't a fact.

[Thunderbird]

Obama is a radical liberal. Actually he is closer to being a centrist than a radical liberal.

The distinction really lies in the times “liberal” does not necessarily mean tax and spend the “liberal”

emerges naturally in times of transitional changes into a new paradigm. Ideally the conservative factions acts as anchor to what is perceived as a traditional paradigms that historically and ironically were originally put forth by the “liberals” in times past. The original American liberals where the founding fathers that broke with England to form a new government.

 

Webster's New World Dictionary of the American Language defines:

 

liberal-

 

1) originally, suitable for a freeman; not restricted: now only in liberal arts, education, etc..

 

2) Giving freely; generous.

 

3) ample; abundant: as, a liberal reward.

 

4) not restricted to the original meaning: as, liberal interpretation of the law.

 

5) broad-minded.

 

6) (L) favoring reform or progress, as in religion, education, etc.; specif. favoring political reforms; not conservative: as the Liberal Party of England.

 

conservative-

 

1) conserving or tending to conserve; preservative.

 

2) tending to preserve established institutions and methods and to resist or oppose any changes in these.

 

3) © designating or of the major right-wing political party of Great Britain or Canada.

 

4) moderate, prudent; safe.

 

[Qfwfq]

It is a misconception that a republic is not a democracy.

 

If you pulled aside almost any person on the street and asked them if the US form of government was a democracy they would say that it is, which is not true. the US is a republic.

On which street?

 

I know the misconception is radicated in the US; the link TB provided only shows why the different perspective developed there. It does not prove the case as being so throughout the world (or even only just in the English Language of other countries) and it is even slightly self-contradictory in discussing some examples. It's also a misconception that the meanings have to do with guarantees such as principle of precedent, separation of powers, constitution etc.

 

In most western languages, correspondents of both terms are present despite them being derived from the Greek and the Latin words for essentially the same thing (not a monarchy or tyranny). The Latin one (respublica, a contraction of rex publica populi romani and meaning affair of the people) came to have a more specific meaning, although not usually the one claimed in TB's link, than δημοκρατία coined from δήμος and κράτος. This difference is largely due to the fact the the small and independent Greek πολις (in each of which the ruling class wasn't too large) it was feasible to decide everything in assemblies whereas the larger and expanding Respublica Romana called for a representative democracy of increasing complexity with substantially more guarantees, which culminated with re-institution of the senate.

 

This makes the difference in usage in most countries understandable but doesn't imply a replublic not being a democracy, or any of what is in TB's link. It is noteworthy that many countries are considered modern democracies because they have elective parliaments and ample guarantees but are not called republics because the head of state is not an elective office. The word republic is typically understood as not a monarchy, while democracy means either this or at least not an absolute one. It is also noteworthy that modern Greek never adopted a derivation of the Latin term, it uses δημοκρατία in both ways.

[mynah]

Not necessarily misconceptions but things I was taught as a kid: Can anyone tell me if they are right or wrong?

 

1. It is dangerous to bath or take a shower during a thunderstorm.

2. Birds will reject their young if these are touched by humans, for instance if a chick that had fallen out of a nest is replaced.

3. Cooked pork or chicken spoil more readily if left out of the fridge than cooked beef or lamb.