Re: [PATCH] doc: replace jargon word "impact" with "effect"/"affect"

From: Felipe Contreras <felipe.contreras@gmail.com>
Date: May 12, 2021, 02:34 UTC
Message-ID: <609b3ed1c280c_678ff2088a@natae.notmuch>
In-Reply-To: <20210428085838.GN6564@kitsune.suse.cz>

Michal Suchánek wrote:

Show 6 quoted lines

> On Tue, Apr 27, 2021 at 07:39:57PM -0500, Varun Varada wrote:
> > Here's the updated diff:
> 
> As already said multiple general purpose dictionaries recognize '(have)
> strong effect' as the meaning of 'impact', in some cases even the most
> common meaning.

Having a strong effect is not the same as having an effect.

> In case you have some issue with the word 'jargon' Merriam-Webster gives
> this definition:

...

> 2: obscure and often pretentious language marked by circumlocutions and long words

...

> which the word 'impact' does not fulfill.

That's a value judgement.

The word "impact" as it's used in the git documentation can certainly be considered "obsucre language".

> Further, you would rarely discuss and document an effect that is
> negligible so in vast majority of cases '(have) strong effect' (ie
> 'impact') is synonymous to 'affect' and 'affect', respectively.

Nobody is saying the effect is negligible.

An effect can be noticeable, yet not especial in any way.

-- 
Felipe Contreras