Why not just call yourself herbivore instead of vegetarian?

Question

I have heard people say fish isn't meat since the 1960s when I was in grade school. I remember being annoyed when the Catholic kids said that even though I wouldn't be a vegetarian for another 20 years. (It was a public school, but we had a lot of Catholic kids, and the cafeteria served fish on Friday to accomodate them).

I keep on correcting people who say they are vegetarian and eat fish (or birds or whatever), and it's obvious I'm fighting a losing battle. People apparently don't read dictionaries anymore, they just make up definitions for words and then the dictionary eventually changes due to popular definition--that's the way it works in the USA.

Why fight it? If somebody asks me, I'll just say I'm a lacto-herbivore. With any luck it will never catch on. Even if it does, I will probably be dead by the time American celebrities start say "I'm an herbivore but I eat fish."

I know "herbivore" is meant as a classification for animals, but if other people use the wrong definition for words why can't I?

I know it's just a psychological effect to make myself feel good. What's wrong with that? It's cheaper and healthier than drinking alcohol or taking drugs. I have chronic depression and I need all the help I can get.

Sorry, I don't buy the "trendy-hipster" label. My wife is a Hindu and vegetarianism is part of her religion that goes back to prehistoric times. If that's a fad, it's outlasted hula hoops and leg warmers by a long shot. Vegetarianism (I mean herbivorism) is a deep philosophical idea as far as I am concerned.

Somebody said "vegetarians eat eggs" I don't. That's why I said lacto-herbivore instead of lacto-ovo-herbivore.

If not "herbivore" the options I can think of are as follows:

1. Don't say anything.
2. Say I don't eat animals but not give it a title.
3. Make up another word.
4. Use a Hindu/Sanskrit word for it since that's the main influence on my choice to not eat meat. There is a Hindu word for when people take a vow to stop eating meat or taking intoxicants--I can't remember what that is; I'll have to ask my wife. It will only make sense to Indians though, Americans won't konw what I mean.
5. Straight Edge. Nope. I'm too old to call myself that and I don't want to put X on my hands with magic markers. It's lame when old guys start pretending to be teenagers.
6. Non-violent--I think I like that.

Answer 1

Short answer:
-arian
"believer of" -- applies more to a lifestyle

-vore
"eater of" -- applies more to a diet

Long answer???:
I don't know about most, but I have some beliefs that go along with my diet. Because of that I think that it deserves the suffix -arian, since -arian applies to "believer of".
If I had no beliefs that accompanied my diet--meaning that it was nothing more than a diet to me, then I would feel correct in calling myself an herbivore.
You probably know this, but for the sake of those here that don't; "vegetarian" doesn't mean "someone that eats vegetables". The "vege" comes from "vegetus" meaning healthy, lively, & vigorous. And -arian means believer of.
"Vege" doesn't mean "vegetable" (Actually vegetable was formed from vegetus, not the other way around.)
Now there are plenty of ways that you could define "vegetarian" based on the two words that it was formed from.
"Healthy lifestyle" -GreenGhost's definition
I also found another definition, that I like:
"Someone who creates a healthy, LIVELY lifestyle by eliminating dead animals (meat) from their diet."
But you can look at it anyway that you'd like as long as you take into account the fact that "-arian" applies to a lifestyle and that "vegetus" means healthy, lively, and vigorous.
If someone called them self an herbivore, I would assume that they are simply following an herbivorous diet and that there are no beliefs that influenced them to make that decision.

I totally get your point though (or atleast I think I do)...
I agree that the word vegetarian is abused. And that if "label-loving" people started using (or abusing) the word herbivore instead of distorting the definition of a vegetarian, that it would eliminate the confusion that surrounds the concept of being a veggie.
Maybe you have the right idea...
But I am not going to start calling myself an herbivore, I am a vegetarian AND an herbivore-- by practice :]

Answer 2

Maybe because
Herbivore means that you only eat herbs and leaves etc
Vegetarian means that you eat veges,fruit as well as herbs and leaves
The reason some people will find any excuse or put together any thing that suits their own needs to cover their beliefs.And if fish is declared as meat then the Catholics will have nothing to eat on good Friday.
This proves that their are few dedicated people that stick to their beliefs .You see this every day in all things from religion to food to life styles. Make the rules to fit you or suit you. and then you can indulge with a clear conscious
For me i am a foodtarian.
as i am a hungry human being that will eat any thing i please.

Answer 3

Ugh...the elusive text relationship. Tell him you would like to hear his voice once in a while as opposed to listening to the clicking sounds of your fingers tapping a cell phone. Then throw your phone in his face. Problem solved. Ok, maybe don't do the last part. But honestly, sometimes being blunt can get you sooo much farther with people. Just because the writing is on the wall, doesn't mean people always read it! Don't be afraid to ask for a real-live relationship. If he's not OK with that, then you can throw your phone in his face. I gave you permission to do so. Godspeed.

Answer 4

Vegetarians are Omnivores that exclude meat, fish, poultry and slaughter by-products.

Omnivore, herbivore and carnivore are species categories. Vegetarian is a choice made by some omnivores.

personally i don't think we should give up on defending the word vegetarian, its been a constant defintion since 1847 and i'd hate to see us loose it on my watch.

Answer 5

Herbivore is a classification. An animal classified as an Herbivore can only consume and digest plant life. Carnivores can only consume and digest other animals. Humans are Omnivores. Even if you choose to only eat plants, you are still an Omnivore as you have the necessary physical components to consume plant and flesh.

Answer 6

that does sound like a good thing to say then people dont turn their noses at what they dont understand. im a lacto-herbivore as well haha

Answer 7

I feel like people find it really trendy/hipster to be veg*n or only eat raw food. They think they're so hot. I correct people often, but it's tiring! Mostly I just stay true to myself and my beliefs!

Answer 8

vegetarian animals are herbivore, people who do not eat meat are vegetarians

Answer 9

Vegetarians have the choice to eat meat or not.
Herbivores don't (usually due to the way their teeth are shaped).

Answer 10

That's just something to make themselves feel good. More like a psychological effect.