Oxymorons

[Punkawallah]

Biochemist here. One of the things we're trained to understand is context. HTH.

And here was me thinking ‘context is everything’ :-)

 

[winjim]

The term isn't an oxymoron though.

I get that you dislike it but it wouldn't be necessary if everything was grown naturally (organically) instead of using pesticides and other chemicals.

There is a need to distinguish between fruit and veg that's naturally produced and that which is grown with the intervention of man-made chemicals.

'Organic' expresses that and is easy to understand.

If you wanted to be pedantic about it, most agrochemicals are organic compounds. We all know what the word means in context and anybody taking issue with it is simply trying to be a smartarse.

See also: "actually everything is made of chemicals". Yeah, we know. Stop trying to make yourself look clever, you know that's not the point being made.

 

[Drago]

We know what the word means in context.

But the choice of word itself is hilarious.

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Fruit and veg described as organic are produced without the use of man-made fertilizers, synthetic pesticides, genetically modified organisms (GMOs) and radiation.

What do you think would be a better term to use?

As I have a degree in Chemistry the term Organic means something different to me

but as that is the common usage I accept it

 

[Drago]

Mine are in Planetary Studies and Celestial Mechanics where the word can get chemists slightly warmed up and exobiologists very animated!

 

[winjim]

We know what the word means in context.

But the choice of word itself is hilarious.

It's a bit of fun

 

[figbat]

As I have a degree in Chemistry the term Organic means something different to me

but as that is the common usage I accept it

Same here. The same applies to words like ‘aromatic’ and ‘salt’. In context they mean what the context intends.

 

[Ming the Merciless]

As I have a degree in Chemistry the term Organic

Do not even need a degree. Organic and Inorganic chemistry was introduced at O level.

 

[lenfield]

Get back to oxymorons - cat owner.

 

[winjim]

As I have a degree in Chemistry the term Organic means something different to me

but as that is the common usage I accept it

I have to liaise with other biochemists, analytical chemists and dieticians. I think I could use the word in every conceivable context all within a single conversation.

I mean the chemists kind of disproved their own thesis, didn't they?

 

[Profpointy]

Same here. The same applies to words like ‘aromatic’ and ‘salt’. In context they mean what the context intends.

I'm assuming "aromatic" in the chemistry benzene ring sense comes from their smell.
We were discouraged from smelling carcinogenic benzene and barely used if, though our still young teacher, who'd newly finished her PhD said they use to wash their hands in the stuff only a couple of years before

 

[Profpointy]

Mine are in Planetary Studies and Celestial Mechanics where the word can get chemists slightly warmed up and exobiologists very animated!

astrophysicists call everything except hydrogen and helium a "metal" though I think some allow lithium as "non metal"

 

[Dogtrousers]

astrophysicists call everything except hydrogen and helium a "metal" though I think some allow lithium as "non metal"

Blinking flip Pointers, I was going to post exactly the same thing. Good job I scrolled to the end first.

 

[Jameshow]

Get back to oxymorons - cat owner.

Quiet jack russell!

 

[ebikeerwidnes]

Do not even need a degree. Organic and Inorganic chemistry was introduced at O level.

Yes - but I spent 3 years where the concepts were a major part of my life

so when people say that adding something to something else makes in not Organic
my mind says Yes It Is - they are both organic