My SOFT Challenge

[Jimmy D]

Yes ... I ... know.

It means that NOW.

But what about back then?

You know?

Before scientists embarrassingly truncated the "of the fittest"?

Why do you think it’s embarrassing?

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

Little late to the party but Survival of the Fittest was always a misnomer and/or over-simplification. It's always really been "survival of the good enough." It turns out that survival itself is a pretty low bar. Successfully reproducing is only slightly higher. This is why bad mutations can persist in populations, it's why mutations from drift come about. Mutations that are truly detrimental tend to kill off their progenitors before they can pass them on. It's the foundation of the modern synthesis. There are many other factors at play, but that's the crux of it.

 

[Bungle_Bear]

Where does survival of the fittest fit in with evolution today?

I don't hear that term much anymore.

Usually they stop at "survival," and "of the fittest" seems to have made an [embarrassing?] exit.

That's like complaining that we no longer get threatened with "fire and brimstone", just "the fires of Hell". Has brimstone made an embarrassing exit?

Seriously, language usage changes over time.

 

[essentialsaltes]

Seriously, language usage changes over time.

I've always been fond of "gnashing of teeth". Well, not doing it of course, I think I have too many crowns now to do it safely.

 

[The IbanezerScrooge]

I've always been fond of "gnashing of teeth". Well, not doing it of course, I think I have too many crowns now to do it safely.

Meh. it's just not the same without the wailing. Gotta have the wailing.

 

[Bungle_Bear]

I've always been fond of "gnashing of teeth". Well, not doing it of course, I think I have too many crowns now to do it safely.

Another great example of language changing over time - the g in "gnash" used to be pronounced. It's become silent over time, but we've kept the old spelling.

 

[Kylie]

Another great example of language changing over time - the g in "gnash" used to be pronounced. It's become silent over time, but we've kept the old spelling.

Ganache?

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

Ganache?

My thoughts exactly - there is a wailing and gnashing of teeth if I don't get my chocolate, and a slurping and ganache-ing of teeth if I do...

 

[Bungle_Bear]

Ganache?

A word which used to have a derogatory meaning of fool/idiot. But again, that's a usage that is longer current. We have such a beautiful parade of words through this thread demonstrating how fluid language is. Not good for the OP, but hopefully educational for the lurkers.

 

[Kylie]

My thoughts exactly - there is a wailing and gnashing of teeth if I don't get my chocolate, and a slurping and ganache-ing of teeth if I do...

I can't imagine it's nice to have one's teeth turned into a soft creamy chocolate...

 

[AV1611VET]

I can't imagine it's nice to have one's teeth turned into a soft creamy chocolate...

Right treat ... wrong place.

 

[FrumiousBandersnatch]

I can't imagine it's nice to have one's teeth turned into a soft creamy chocolate...

'Ganache-ing of teeth' simply means covering them in ganache - analogous to icing a cake (but better)