“Diesen’s presentation relies upon the invidious contrast of modern vs. pre-modern.” Funny, I don’t see Diesen’s contrast as “invidious,” which implies envy, malice and spite. Rather, I think his error may be “egregious,” ie blatant or obvious, as it does mar his otherwise brilliant essay. Then there’s “insidious,” but I think Diesen had no hidden intentions or agenda in making the above comparison!
This is a good example of how etymologically identical words (in origin) have come to English via different routes and taken on different meanings. E.g., yard/garden; canal/channel, and others. Note, too, that borrowings from Latin often have meanings that differ according to the period of Latin from which they're derived, since Latin words, as in any other language, have changed over time--later Latin usages differ frequently from "classical" Latin, or Homeric Greek words develop differently in later Greek. Also Old English to modern. In this case 'invidēre' has Latin meanings that are quite different--'look askance at' cannot be substituted for 'envy', i.e., they aren't even synonyms, although the same Latin word was used for both.
For my part, I always use 'invidious' with the idea of an 'invidious comparison' in mind, so: modern vs. pre-modern. The idea is that the comparison is inherently denigrating to one of the terms in the comparison. In my example, since 'modern' has a highly positive connotation, anything that is contrasted or with 'modern' suffers in comparison--the comparison is 'invidious' because without any open criticism or argument the second term conveys a negative connotation. The same could probably be said of the comparison reason/instinct that Diesen uses. Instinct in such a comparison is viewed as operating on a lower level of human nature, reason on a higher level. Diesen, while he speaks excellent English in general, is not a native speaker and may go astray in such subtle nuances of English usage.
Fittingly, "invidious" is a relative of "envy." Both are descendants of "invidia," the Latin word for "envy," which in turn comes from invidēre, meaning "to look askance at or "to envy." ("Invidious" descends from "invidia" by way of the Latin adjective invidiosus, meaning "envious, whereas "envy" comes to English via the Anglo-French noun envie.)
***These days, however, "invidious" is rarely used as a synonym for "envious." The preferred uses are primarily pejorative, describing things that are unpleasant (such as "invidious choices" and "invidious tasks") or worthy of scorn ("invidious remarks" or "invidious comparisons").***
Timely as ever, Mark. I'm sure it's no coincidence either to see that one of the main pushers of this liberal ideology, USAID, is being taken down. Let's pray that we see a return to common sense and human decency.
“Diesen’s presentation relies upon the invidious contrast of modern vs. pre-modern.” Funny, I don’t see Diesen’s contrast as “invidious,” which implies envy, malice and spite. Rather, I think his error may be “egregious,” ie blatant or obvious, as it does mar his otherwise brilliant essay. Then there’s “insidious,” but I think Diesen had no hidden intentions or agenda in making the above comparison!
This is a good example of how etymologically identical words (in origin) have come to English via different routes and taken on different meanings. E.g., yard/garden; canal/channel, and others. Note, too, that borrowings from Latin often have meanings that differ according to the period of Latin from which they're derived, since Latin words, as in any other language, have changed over time--later Latin usages differ frequently from "classical" Latin, or Homeric Greek words develop differently in later Greek. Also Old English to modern. In this case 'invidēre' has Latin meanings that are quite different--'look askance at' cannot be substituted for 'envy', i.e., they aren't even synonyms, although the same Latin word was used for both.
For my part, I always use 'invidious' with the idea of an 'invidious comparison' in mind, so: modern vs. pre-modern. The idea is that the comparison is inherently denigrating to one of the terms in the comparison. In my example, since 'modern' has a highly positive connotation, anything that is contrasted or with 'modern' suffers in comparison--the comparison is 'invidious' because without any open criticism or argument the second term conveys a negative connotation. The same could probably be said of the comparison reason/instinct that Diesen uses. Instinct in such a comparison is viewed as operating on a lower level of human nature, reason on a higher level. Diesen, while he speaks excellent English in general, is not a native speaker and may go astray in such subtle nuances of English usage.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/invidious
Fittingly, "invidious" is a relative of "envy." Both are descendants of "invidia," the Latin word for "envy," which in turn comes from invidēre, meaning "to look askance at or "to envy." ("Invidious" descends from "invidia" by way of the Latin adjective invidiosus, meaning "envious, whereas "envy" comes to English via the Anglo-French noun envie.)
***These days, however, "invidious" is rarely used as a synonym for "envious." The preferred uses are primarily pejorative, describing things that are unpleasant (such as "invidious choices" and "invidious tasks") or worthy of scorn ("invidious remarks" or "invidious comparisons").***
Point(s) well taken Mark.
Can't we all just keep it simple and stick to 2-syllable words? :)
All for it! and ban the -ious suffix while you’re at it!
Timely as ever, Mark. I'm sure it's no coincidence either to see that one of the main pushers of this liberal ideology, USAID, is being taken down. Let's pray that we see a return to common sense and human decency.
invidious: the word of the day today. Had to look it up. Can’t say that’s a word I regularly encounter. Thanks, Mark
Glad you like it. Next task, find ways to use regularly.
Had to look it up too, as I often confuse it with "insidious". Here's my effort: "I suspect the Deep State's intentions are invidious in the extreme."
The Thesaurus should take note!