Welcome to Wondrous Words Wednesday! If you like to learn new words, you’re in the right place. Visit Kathy at Bermuda Onion for links to more noteworthy vocabulary.
We had a word nerd debate in our house last week. My son said that he “debriefed” his friend about a party.
I know – what 14-year-old boy uses the word “debrief”? Mine, thank you. And I’m proud.
But, I told him I didn’t think he was using the word correctly. “Couldn’t you just say you ‘briefed’ her about what happened, as in a briefing? Debrief sounds like the opposite of a ‘briefing’.
He insisted, in Tomiak style, that he was right. His father joined him.
I pulled out the Merriam Webster app.
Two minutes later, I had to admit they were right, sort of.
Debrief \dē-‘brēf\ verb; first used in 1945
- to interrogate someone upon return (as from a mission) in order to obtain useful information
- to carefully review upon completion (debrief the flight)
My son was telling his friend about something he’d done; he wasn’t asking her questions. But he argued that his use fit under the “to carefully review” definition.
I still say it’s not quite the right use, but no one is listening any more.
Did you note the year this word first started being used? This is definitely a term of military origin.
Word Nerd Workout
Can you use debrief correctly in a sentence? Better yet, let me know if you have word nerd debates in your house and which words inspire them.
Thanks for getting nerdy with me!
Julia
Spread the word on Twitter: Word nerd word: debrief = to interrogate someone upon return from a mission; more at http://wp.me/p2SvHJ-sQ via @juliatomiak
Thank you for another new word.
From what I understand it depends on the tense – if you’re discussing a party that has already happened, then debrief would be appropriate, but if the party hasn’t happened yet and you’re quizzing someone about what will happen and what could happen, then you would be briefing them about the possibilities.
And yes, we do have word, grammar and punctuation discussions regularly with our teen boys…but I can’t recall details right now…except that we (Mr Books & I) are usually right 🙂
Good for him for standing his ground! I usually hear debriefed used in a military or political context. I think many soldiers are debriefed when they return from a war zone.
Sounds like a knowledgeable boy, good for him.
Not having teenage/young adults in our house anymore, there are rarely word debates.. My husband knows I am always right!!!! LOL
Then you are a lucky woman, Judy. 😉
Pretty cool.
A brief is a concise summary. One of the meanings of the prefix de- is to indicate separation or removal. So, I guess “debrief” is to take a step away from the summary — distance yourself from it? I guess in this case, to look back on it???
Thanks for trying to break down the meaning for me. I guess that makes sense.
Funny Julia — I’ve had similar conversation with my boys . . . and they seem to be right too — 😉 (sometimes 😉 ) — take care and enjoy the rest of your summer. 😉 Hester,
I hope you’re having a great summer, Hester. Those boys can be challenging, but we love them. 🙂 Good to hear from you.