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ronnier • today at 5:21 PM • 5 replies • view on HN

Offtopic: I only see "genius" used these days to describe an idiot. I guess this is how words change meaning over time. At some point in the future being called a "genius" will always be seen as pejorative.


Replies

dylan604 • today at 6:49 PM

I don't think the definition is changing at all. To me, we've just lost the ability to comprehend sarcasm.

crossroadsguy • today at 5:44 PM

That's because calling an idiot an idiot plainly is apparently considered uncouth and attracts downvotes, flags and downvotes often mean oblivion. In fact you will find do-gooders chome in with "be civil" but you flip the word and it's all kosher. The thing is all of us do and say idiotic things. So that makes a bit tricky indeed.

> in the future being called a "genius" will always be seen as pejorative.

If you are not a genius and someone calls you a genius, well, for you the future is already here, genius! (Shit I didn't really mean that :P)

codedokode • today at 5:28 PM

There should be a name for this style of speech, using "good" to mean "bad".

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fusslo • today at 5:33 PM

just like 'Nimrod' becoming an insult

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saimiam • today at 5:29 PM

Genius take!