What does a question of semantics mean?

If we think of debates as metaphorical contractual disputes, saying that some issue in a debate is “a matter of semantics” means that those who are raising it are too stubbornly wedded to the objective theory; they only care about the words being used, and do not bother to look at the intentions of the disputants.

What is a semantic argument?

A semantic dispute is a disagreement that arises if the parties involved disagree about the definition of a word or phrase, not because they disagree on material facts, but rather because they disagree on the definitions of a word (or several words) essential to formulating the claim at issue.

Why did you hang up the call?

Originally, people used to actually hang the earpiece of the phone when they were finished. We still say “hang up” today, even though you’re usually just pushing a button. To “hang up on” someone means to suddenly stop the call while they are talking. People usually do this because they’re angry.

What is the role of semantics in effective communication?

Semantic is the study of meaning, signs and symbols used for communication. The word is derived from “sema”, a Greek word meaning signs. Semantic barriers to communication are the symbolic obstacles that distorts the sent message in some other way than intended, making the message difficult to understand.

Why is semantics important to vocabulary development?

Semantic knowledge, or word and world knowledge is a key area of vocabulary growth. They are able to understand the links and differences between semantic concepts such as synonyms, antonyms, homonyms and categories.

Why do people say “it’s a matter of semantics”?

Maybe it is just a way of stopping an annoying conversation: In ordinary conversations, when people debate a point and the words they are using for discussion they often backhand this disagreement with the phrase “It’s a matter of semantics.”

Do we spend too much time arguing semantics and unimportant detail?

Andrew Berding, in his 1962 book Foreign Affairs and You!, wrote “…the representative of the various departments spend too much time and mental energy arguing semantics and unimportant detail.” By the early 1960s we see the full phrase, just arguing semantics, being used to indicate that one is quibbling about something irrelevant or unknowable.

Where did the term “just arguing semantics” come from?

By the early 1960s we see the full phrase, just arguing semantics, being used to indicate that one is quibbling about something irrelevant or unknowable. It can be found in a transcript from a senate hearing from 1963, with testimony before the Committee on Armed Services:

Is semantics a matter of no import?

So semantics is not a matter of no import as they would have you believe, but indeed the one single matter that is of undeniably paramountimportance. People who use the phrase should have their fingernails ripped out. – tchrist♦