A Lengthy Discourse on Invocation
I’m curious: when the ODE runs a wire story, as they seem to be doing rather a lot, do they come up with their own headline? Because today’s specimen (Attacks Invoke Concern in Iran, apparently not posted online) seems to imply that some level of concern in Iran is being or has been used as a justification for (presumably) the attacks in Iraq. It’s certainly weird usage, and given the standard meaning of the word “invoke” (to appeal to as justification) it seems incorrect. (Attacks Cause Concern? OK. Attacks Fuel Concern? Fine. But where’s the invokement? Where’s the invokosity?)
A slightly bizarre headline is, obviously, no big deal. But it got me wondering who makes these decisions.
So riddle me this, journalism students. Is the Emerald smoking crack? Is somebody at Knight-Ridder smoking crack? Or am I smoking crack, and this is a completely justifiable use of the word “invoke”? Are we attacking Iran on the grounds that they’re concerned about something?
Seriously, I’d like to know.
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