Languish: Soldiers or Lawyers?

[crazy canuck]

1sol·dier noun \ˈsōl-jər\
: a person who is in the military : a member of an army

It seems like a matter of useage.  I understand how the uS military uses it (and seems reflected in this definition). but calling a marine a soldier isn't 'by-definition' wrong, either.

The US military calls their servicemen soldiers and airmen (or aviators, for the officers).  The US naval forces call their people sailors and Marines.

Ah that makes sense.

[Malthus]

Arguing about definitions? Seems the lawyers have won after all. 

[Barrister]

1sol·dier noun \ˈsōl-jər\
: a person who is in the military : a member of an army

It seems like a matter of useage.  I understand how the uS military uses it (and seems reflected in this definition). but calling a marine a soldier isn't 'by-definition' wrong, either.

The US military calls their servicemen soldiers and airmen (or aviators, for the officers).  The US naval forces call their people sailors and Marines.  It really doesn't matter what the Canadians call their people, or what the US military calls their people, though, and the US Marines are neither Canadian nor military.  By definition.

But so how is it wrong for a UK or Canadian citizen to call a US Marine a soldier?

By the way...

1mil·i·tary adjective \ˈmi-lə-ˌter-ē\
: of or relating to soldiers or the armed forces (such as the army, navy, marines, and air force)

: of or relating to the army

: controlled or supported by armed forces

[Valmy]

But so how is it wrong for a UK or Canadian citizen to call a US Marine a soldier?

By the way...

It is cool so long as your goal is to really piss off a marine. 

[Barrister]

But so how is it wrong for a UK or Canadian citizen to call a US Marine a soldier?

By the way...

It is cool so long as your goal is to really piss off a marine.

Oh that's a pretty good bit of information to know - and I never would have known it but for Languish.

(that is - how to avoid pissing off a marine, not how to deliberately provoke a marine)

[crazy canuck]

But so how is it wrong for a UK or Canadian citizen to call a US Marine a soldier?

Why would a Canadian citizen apply definitions peculiar to the Canadian context?  I suppose the Marine would forgive the Canadian for not knowing any better.  I didnt before Grumbler explained it. 

[Malthus]

The US Marines: travel the world, meet new people ... and beat the crap outta them for mistakenly calling you a "soldier". 

[Barrister]

But so how is it wrong for a UK or Canadian citizen to call a US Marine a soldier?

Why would a Canadian citizen apply definitions peculiar to the Canadian context?  I suppose the Marine would forgive the Canadian for not knowing any better.  I didnt before Grumbler explained it.

How is "language" peculiar to the Canadian context?

[crazy canuck]

But so how is it wrong for a UK or Canadian citizen to call a US Marine a soldier?

Why would a Canadian citizen apply definitions peculiar to the Canadian context?  I suppose the Marine would forgive the Canadian for not knowing any better.  I didnt before Grumbler explained it.

How is "language" peculiar to the Canadian context?

It isnt language it is how the language is used in the particular circumstance - you know how people define things. 

[lustindarkness]

Arguing about definitions? Seems the lawyers have won after all. 

At least there are more military than law talkers. 

[Razgovory]

Probably a function of so many Europeans coming to age during conscription.

[mongers]

Would the majority of US marines be ok with being described as infantry (at those that perform that function) ?

Or perhaps naval infantry? 

[Malthus]

Would the majority of US marines be ok with being described as infantry (at those that perform that function) ?

Or perhaps naval infantry?

"Who you callin an infant?  "

[Maximus]

Please do that in their presence. In a bar. PLEASE.

Then post about the beating you took. Thanks. 

If they beat him for something he said they would prove him right about the stupid part at least.

[Malthus]

I suspect calling a marine a "soldier" is one of those military solecisms that are drilled into people in the armed services, but are made all the time by people outside the services.

"This is mah rifle, this is mah gun; this one's for fightin' and this one's for fun!"