Hacker News Reader

You say that words have different definitions. Then you supply a reference to a dictionary that is using a descriptivist definition of a modern use of the word which is clearly derived from the long established definition of slave.

It's not particularly convincing.

View on HN

It's an example of how words can change. The counter-argument is that slave is a "bad word" and can only mean one thing (e.g. humans not machines), therefore it should never be used to describe anything else.

The counter argument is that for hundreds of years (from at least 13th C, but also older from 9th C) the word "slave" has meant a human forced into labour. It is associated with death, murder, rape, brutality.

The newer usage is not needed and could easily be changed to other better words.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com