General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: I supported the status quo [View all]BainsBane
(53,029 posts)Then why not say that instead of status quo?
Why keep it deliberately vague? Why insist listeners be mindreaders rather than using more descriptive language?
People can only understand what is said to them. The standard meaning of words is defined in dictionaries. You are insisting that people are wrong to understand the word in terms of its standard usage. I submit it is the responsibility of the person communicating to express their point clearly, in accordance with standard English.
Many have observed that status quo only became commonly used against an AA president and a female presidential candidate. Yet even knowing that concern, some continue to use the term without qualification, when many more precise words are available in the English language.