Most Widely Misused Word

[Ron Kruger]

A couple of years ago, I was chastised for misusing a word, and once I realized I had been speaking–and sometimes writing–in error, I began to notice that nearly everyone misuses it: politicians, TV anchors and others who make their money with their mouths.
Can anyone guess what word I have in mind?

[Ron Kruger]

Sorry, I still don't think that is right--not according to the dictionary:
Assume 1. To undertake; don (a garment, for example). 2. To understake: assuming the responsibility. 3 To invests onself formally with: assume the presidency. 4. To take on; adopt: "the god assumes a human form" (Ruskin).
Presume 1 To take for granted; assume to be true in the absence of proof to the contrary...
Maybe the best approach would be neither to assume or presume the child is lying, but to say "I think you are lying," or, "I believe you are lying."
Otherwise, it appears that whenever we use assume or presume, the meaning is not exactly clear.

[Shelagh Watkins]

The meaning is clear: Presumed innocent until guilty. In the absence of proof the suspect is presumed innocent until proven otherwise. Presumed innocent on the basis that the evidence will prove the suspect to be innocent. If the weight of evidence is against the suspect, only then will the suspect be found guilty.

In the example about the child, the teacher in the second scenario knows the child is lying and can presume the child is lying.

In the first scenario, the teacher can only make an assumption.

In the absence of proof to the contrary, one can presume otherwise one can only assume.

"I presumed you knew," Ella said.
"Well, you presumed wrong!" Connie corrected her friend with indignation.

Ella presumed because it was common knowledge and therefore expected Connie to know -- but she was wrong.

"I assumed that you knew," Ella tried to explain.
"Well, I didn't ... and you should have known that," Connie responded with a pained expression.

Ella was unsure if Connie knew or not but hoped that she knew -- but she was just as wrong.

It is the way words are phrased to "show" the reader what is going on that matters, not the meanings of individual words.

[Abe F. March]

Is it safe to assume, that in most cases, to assume means that you make an ass out of you and me. (ass u me)

[Ron Kruger]

You assume correctly, Abe.

[Malcolm R. Campbell]

Yes, yes, I'm old enought to remember when that old "ass" comment was invented. :-) But it does not negate the value of the word assume as usage is not dictating its application.

Malcolm

[Mary J. Dressel]

Your, You're?

[Rainbow]

If I assume, I've heard it said
It makes an ass of me
It also makes an ass of U
Can we presume it's easy?
Quite right, or rightly do I assume
Presumption is the key
Just check the facts and don't assume
That's all folks from just me!

[Jay Miller]

You're?

[domenic Pappalardo]

Mark Twain once said, “Don’t use a twenty-five cent word, when a nickel one will do.” I assume this is what he was referring to. Or should I presume he was talking about the pile of fragrance Black Jacks mule deposited in front of the courthouse? I guess, presume, or assume, shit still stinks.

[Kim Holmes]

Ironically, this isn't the only word I see misused quite often.


(specific phrasing chosen in order to draw attention to another commonly misused word)