Decent, Dissent, and Descent
In an article about a recent mountain hike, the author said this about his return trip: “The decent was more challenging than the ascent.”
A proofreading error, I’ll wager. But it presents a teachable moment.
Decent (DEE-sint) means acceptable, presentable, polite, socially acceptable. It can also mean clothed.
- “If everyone is decent we’ll come in,” the coach hollered as he charged through the locker room door.
Or it can mean good, but not necessarily excellent.
- His grades were decent, but not good enough to get into an Ivy League school.
Descent (deh-SCENT) is what the mountain climber meant to write when referring to his hike down the mountain. It refers to downward movement—either physically or socially.
- George’s drinking led to a rather hasty descent from the social circles of Peyton Place.
It can also refer to a person’s ancestry or lineage.
- Miami is home to many persons of Latin American descent.
And then there’s dissent (dis-SENT)—when you’re at odds with someone or take a stand against the prevailing view.
- Judges take a dissenting view when they oppose the majority ruling in a legal case.
Dissent is actually essential to a thriving democracy—just try to be decent in the way you talk about it.
i’ve a character who suffers a spinal CORD injury. my musical brain, however, keeps trying to type CHORD!! yeeps! that’s what editors are for, right?
Hi Robin, I see that error a lot in the manuscripts I work on. It struck a cord with him. Well, I guess you could strike a cord, but it wouldn’t resonate much.
i love words and “there” origins (see what i did their), love to study etymology, and languages and how they all fit together! guess that’s why i’m a writer for! p.s. love grammar, too.
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People who make mistakes like this don’t know that they’re making them.This is why everyone needs a good copy-editor.
Will your newly released (Dec 1) book include these subject materials?
I enjoy your posts! I just had to add something to your lovely ending sentence, forgive me…
Regarding dissent in a democracy… you said, “…just try to be decent in the way you talk about it” — I want to add: or else you could cause that democracy to make a descent.
Thanks for sharing that!
Easily fixed mistakes here. Thanks so much for the clarification. I’ve shared it liberally.
Oh good, thanks!