The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #77314 Message #1384465
Posted By: McGrath of Harlow
21-Jan-05 - 12:54 PM
Thread Name: BS: Oops (No WMDs in Iraq)
Subject: RE: BS: Oops (No WMDs in Iraq)
One meaning of "bad" is "good", and I suppose a comprehensive dictionary definition would need to include that meaning - however in serious discourse that meaning would be set aside, to avoid confusion. It seems to me that the same should be done with any "meaning" of "understand" that suggests that understanding implies support or agreement.
"Most people either say that they agree with Bernard Shaw or that they do not understand him. I am the only person who understands him, and I do not agree with him." (Chesterton's introduction to his book "George Bernard Shaw.")