Wednesday, November 16, 2011

Semantics

When people say they are "starting their own traditions," they are by definition incorrect. It is not possible to start a tradition: you can begin a practice which may eventually become a tradition, but the derivation of the word is from the Latin "to hand over," ie. the handing down of elements of a culture from generation to generation---an inherited, established, or customary pattern of thoughts, actions or behaviors. The term "new tradition" is an oxymoron. Attention must be paid.

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