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Keep our language diverse
19 October 2005
The tendency these days is to use the word 'disinterested' as though it meant exactly the same as 'uninterested'. This is not so, and we are in danger of losing a very useful word by this practice. 'Disinterested' means 'having no financial or other interest' in something, which is an important description to have in the lexicon. Consider the difference between these two statements: 'I am completely uninterested in your money-making schemes' and 'you need a disinterested person to advise you in your money-making scheme'. I may be disinterested because I am uninterested, but you would be better finding someone to help you who is interested in the money-making scheme but at the same time disinterested - ie has no personal or financial interest.
Or again, take this example 'I'm having trouble persuading my parents to accept my engagement. Could you have a word with them, as a disinterested person?' To which the answer might be 'Yes, that should be interesting!' or it might be 'No - I find other people's family arguments completely uninteresting.'
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