The assumption that the present-day meaning of a word should be/is similar to the historical meaning. This fallacy ignores the evolution of language and heart of linguistics. This fallacy is usually committed when one finds the historical meaning of a word more palatable or conducive to his or her argument. This is a more specific form of the appeal to definition .
Examples:
- Steve: I think it is fantastic that you and Sylvia are getting married! Chuck: I cannot believe you think my getting married only exists in my imagination! That is what fantastic means, after all.