I'd like to survey list members on what they think the expression "that
begs the question" means. I've been observing it used in ways I'm not
used and wondering what the general consensus is on how the meaning of
the phrase.

I've seen it used to mean either "what you are saying doesn't directly
answer the question that has been posed, but is a complicated
diversionary tactic", or "some situation demands that we ask the
question X".

Which one do y'all feel is most familiar (or does it mean both)?

Thanks!

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Johanna Rubba   Assistant Professor, Linguistics
English Department, California Polytechnic State University
One Grand Avenue  • San Luis Obispo, CA 93407
Tel. (805)-756-2184  •  Fax: (805)-756-6374 • Dept. Phone.  756-259
• E-mail: [log in to unmask] •  Home page: http://www.calpoly.edu/~jrubba
                                       **
"Understanding is a lot like sex; it's got a practical purpose,
but that's not why people do it normally"  -            Frank  Oppenheimer
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