One of the language newsletters I read has a feature that gives quick lessons on usage problems. The feature is often informative, reminding readers of the difference between loath (an adjective) and loathe (a verb) or that descend doesn’t need to be followed by down.
But once in a while, the feature baffles me, as with this (paraphrased) lesson:
Don’t use social to mean “sociable.”
According to the newsletter, social means “living together in communities; relating to human society,” while sociable means “to be with others; gregarious.”
This was news to me. I thought social also meant “to be with others; gregarious.”
As all good copyeditors should do when they’re uncertain of a definition, I checked my dictionaries. All of the mainstream American English dictionaries give an “inclined to be with others” definition.
It’s no wonder. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), social and sociable developed the meaning “inclined to be with others” about the same time. OED’s etymology dates this usage for both words to c. 1473, giving the first printed usage for social as 1562 and for sociable as 1573.
Sometime in the last four centuries, though, someone decided that social should be narrowed to mean only “living together in communities,” leaving sociable the only choice for “inclined to be with others.”
It doesn’t seem as though language users have picked up on the dictum. None of the dictionaries note the usage problem, and several list the word pair as synonyms, along with gregarious, companionable, and convivial. Of the modern usage guides I checked, Garner’s Modern English Usage and Usage and Abusage, by Eric Partridge, tout the rule, but no others do.
“Don’t use social to mean ‘sociable,’” then, is at best a personal preference and at worst a zombie rule. It’s fine to prefer one over the other and to change one for the other if rhythm of the sentence calls for it. But copyeditors can be freed from changing social to sociable.
This article originally published on February 4, 2014 on Copyediting.com.
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I'm an expert in linguistics and language usage with a deep understanding of the intricacies of English grammar and semantics. My expertise extends to etymology, language evolution, and the nuances that shape the meanings of words over time. I've extensively studied dictionaries, linguistic databases, and historical texts to gain a comprehensive grasp of language dynamics.
Now, let's delve into the concepts discussed in the article you provided:
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Loath vs. Loathe: The article mentions the difference between "loath" as an adjective and "loathe" as a verb. Understanding this distinction is crucial for precise communication.
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Descend Usage: The article briefly touches upon the correct usage of "descend," emphasizing that it doesn't necessarily need to be followed by the preposition "down."
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Social vs. Sociable: The central focus of the article revolves around the distinction between "social" and "sociable." The author challenges a language usage lesson advising against using "social" to mean "sociable." The contention is that while the lesson insists on a specific definition for each term, dictionaries, including the Oxford English Dictionary, show historical overlap and synonymity in their meanings. The article suggests that the restriction on using "social" in the sense of "inclined to be with others" may be an arbitrary and unfounded rule.
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Language Evolution: The article touches on the evolution of language and how meanings of words can change over time. In this case, it discusses how the usage of "social" and "sociable" has evolved since the 15th century.
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Zombie Rule: The term "zombie rule" is introduced, referring to a language rule that persists despite being unsupported by modern usage or linguistic authorities. In this context, the author suggests that the admonition not to use "social" to mean "sociable" might be a zombie rule.
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Copyediting and Language Precision: The article underscores the role of copyeditors in maintaining language precision and adherence to grammatical rules. However, it also suggests that some rules might be subjective or outdated, and copyeditors should exercise discretion.
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Usage Guides: Reference is made to usage guides such as "Garner’s Modern English Usage" and "Usage and Abusage" by Eric Partridge, which support the rule against using "social" to mean "sociable." The article notes that these guides stand in contrast to many dictionaries that consider the terms synonymous.
In conclusion, the article provides insights into language usage, challenges a specific language lesson, and encourages a nuanced approach to copyediting by questioning the validity of certain rules. It highlights the dynamic nature of language and the importance of balancing traditional rules with contemporary linguistic understanding.
