Thanks for answering. A few more questions, if I might:
Soitenly! :)
My own inclination is to assume that it's because there is less deviation from standard meanings than not, still rendering it a useful beginning place [..]
Got it in one. I realize there are a lot of folks for whom the differences would outweigh the similarities and who therefore might choose different words. The thing to bear in mind, though, is that terminology is an act of communication, not an act of acceptance. You're invoking a sense of meaning in a particular audience in order to imperfectly convey a concept; you're not committing yourself to whatever baggage they choose to attach to your words.
But there are several audiences: "society" at large, your particular culture or subculture, your friends and/or family, and the two of you. The smaller the audience, the more they will understand your use of the terms, and the more important their understanding is.
Did that answer your questions, or have I missed the point again?
Re: Questions, questions... lotsa blah blah blah...
Soitenly! :)
My own inclination is to assume that it's because there is less deviation from standard meanings than not, still rendering it a useful beginning place [..]
Got it in one. I realize there are a lot of folks for whom the differences would outweigh the similarities and who therefore might choose different words. The thing to bear in mind, though, is that terminology is an act of communication, not an act of acceptance. You're invoking a sense of meaning in a particular audience in order to imperfectly convey a concept; you're not committing yourself to whatever baggage they choose to attach to your words.
But there are several audiences: "society" at large, your particular culture or subculture, your friends and/or family, and the two of you. The smaller the audience, the more they will understand your use of the terms, and the more important their understanding is.
Did that answer your questions, or have I missed the point again?