Over the next week Erin McKean, co-founder of wordnik.com and former editor of the Oxford American Dictionary, will discuss the buzz-worthy words you hear in the news and on the street.
Today: The difference between blackmail and extortion and where the two words come from.
Comments [5]
Could she discuss the etymology and usage of "zero sum game." I just don't really get it or how to use it.
Ms. McKean said extortion involved use of force, but I'd say it's more the *threat* of force, as in her example of "nice sheep--shame if anything happened to it." And I'd also say the threat has to be future rather than immediate use of force, or robbery at gun- or knifepoint would also qualify. Too straightforward to be "twisted," maybe.
"Wordnik" is a great name--how come I haven't heard of it before? I'll have to check out the site when I have more time!
How did "sanction" meaning explicit approval become "sanction" being a means of negative enforcement or punishment?
to me extortion is more exotic and important sounding. anyone can blackmail with the smallest scandal but extortion is for the powerful people
How about, Why isn't "threshold" spelled "threshhold"?
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