Can a government change the meaning of a word to suit their agenda?

Question

Marriage:
1. the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc.

If you are going to create a new sociably acceptable life style, then why not create a new word to match, one that does not destroy the meaning of the original word? Consider this, if every student graduating from collage were called DR’s in stead of gradates then what good would having a Ph.D. be in distinguishing the real ones

Answer 1

I agree, I refuse to use the word "marriage" when it comes to two males or two females. Not that Im against homosexuality, simply because its trying to cram a puzzle piece somewhere it doesnt belong.

Yeah yeah, give me a thumbs down you ****** liberals.

Tony Romo Sucks - You retard, being against gay marriage isnt always a religious dogma. Im an atheist and Im not too excited about the idea. Read a book.

Answer 2

I think you have touched upon a very interesting Idea. I have been doing a study on language convention. It is the idea that a society has developed meanings to words that do in time change. I believe it is very important to make clear what a person means when they used specific words. For example the word "faith" when some one uses this word it conjures up meaning in our minds. Some people believe it means believing something with out evidence. Blind faith in other words, however some people believe faith rests upon evidence you have faith that your evidence is correct. So if two people where having a conversation and one said to the other oh that requires "faith" both could in turn be thinking something completely different and they would not know it. their language convention has a problem. The underlining meaning to an important word in their conversation has created a difference of interpretation, in turn they argue and not understand why the other person does not get what they are saying.

The Government use this often, word smiths can create a whole speech that portrays a idea that really has a completely different meaning under the surface.
I think it is always a good idea to ask people what they mean when they use certain words. Like my example if one of the persons had said what do you think faith means the conversation could have become more productive rather than leading to an argument.

Great question you are bright in noticing this for sure.

Answer 3

1. the social institution under which a man and woman establish their decision to live as husband and wife by legal commitments, religious ceremonies, etc.
2. the state, condition, or relationship of being married; wedlock: a happy marriage.
3. the legal or religious ceremony that formalizes the decision of a man and woman to live as husband and wife, including the accompanying social festivities: to officiate at a marriage.
4. a relationship in which two people have pledged themselves to each other in the manner of a husband and wife, without legal sanction: trial marriage; homosexual marriage.
5. any close or intimate association or union: the marriage of words and music in a hit song.
6. a formal agreement between two companies or enterprises to combine operations, resources, etc., for mutual benefit; merger.
7. a blending or matching of different elements or components: The new lipstick is a beautiful marriage of fragrance and texture.
8. Cards. a meld of the king and queen of a suit, as in pinochle. Compare royal marriage.
9. a piece of antique furniture assembled from components of two or more authentic pieces.
10. Obsolete. the formal declaration or contract by which act a man and a woman join in wedlock.

Looks like they don't need to change a thing. Just need to pick the one that best serves their purpose that day. That's the beauty of our silly language.

You can get a PhD from making a collage? Cool

Answer 4

Words change meaning all the time.

Why would that specific word, "marriage" be immune from that?

And there are several meanings already, as has been pointed out by Dethklok, here.

Here are some fun ones:

FELON: A brave man, a warrior (James Murray et al., "A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles", Oxford, 1888-1928)

CRANKY: Brisk, merry, jocund. (William H. Cope, "A Glossary of Hampshire Words and Phrases", London, 1883)

COMPASSIONATE: Lamenting, complaining (Alexander Dyce, "A Glossary to the Works of Shakespeare", 1902)

WIND-BREAKER: A drug that expels flatulence; a carminative (James Murray et al., "A New English Dictionary on Historical Principles", Oxford, 1888-1928)

DINE: To go to bed (Harold Wentworth, "The American Dialect Dictionary", New York, 1944)

Answer 5

The government can but more often it's the populace that changes the meaning of words.
Hence the reason they are banning gay marriage but easing restrictions on civil unions and domestic partnerships. Whatever doesn't fit through the front door, bring it in through the back but I take the stance what stupid people don't know, doesn't hurt them.

Answer 6

But the chrich changed the meaning of marriage at the Council of Trent in the 1500s precisely to obtain more power for itself. Thats where your definition stems from. Why should the church have a monopoly on dictating how people should live their lives? Before you throw stones, check your history. Marriage was NEVER a religious institution - it was hijacked.

Answer 7

1) Marriage is foremost a legal contract between two people.

2) The government changes words in our laws all the time to suit "societies" agenda.

3) If you don't want to marry someone of your same sex....then don't......no one will ever make you.

Answer 8

In answer to your actual question, the government can and does change the meanings of words to suit its agenda.

But in case you haven't noticed, the government isn't exactly gunning for gay marriage.

I really can't understand why people like you try to resort to semantics to justify your petty bigotry. I'd have a lot more respect for you if you'd just come out and admit that you find the idea of homosexuality "disgusting" or whatever. Don't pretend that your disgust is rational!

Why do you feel that heterosexual marriage is "threatened" or "invalidated" by the idea of homosexual marriage? It simply doesn't make any sense. Unless, of course, you're insecure in your own sexuality, which really IS the case 90% of the time.

Your analogy of college (note how to spell "college" for future reference) degrees is ridiculous.

Answer 9

Religions have been doing it.... like the word good.... murder and defile children is ok but only in the name of the church... it seems to me that in the case of marriage. governments are just keeping up with evolution....

Answer 10

They do it all the time, take Labour and the new Gordon Brown. Yes we will tell the truth and nothing but the truth!

(Truth in their dictionary means "Lies")