DAMAGING QUOTATION Meaning and
Definition
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A damaging quotation refers to a statement, remark, or excerpt from a source that has the potential to cause harm, discredit, or negatively impact an individual, group, organization, or reputation. It is characterized by its detrimental effects or implications, often undermining the subject's credibility, integrity, or standing in a particular context. Damage inflicted by a quotation can manifest in a variety of ways, including tarnishing one's image, inciting controversy, jeopardizing relationships, creating legal complications, or even leading to financial losses.
Such quotations may come from public figures, experts, or well-known sources, and typically attract significant attention due to their potentially harmful nature. The term "damaging" highlights the potential consequences that the quotation can trigger, such as erosion of trust, public outrage, loss of support, or long-lasting negative effects on an individual's personal or professional life.
The impact of a damaging quotation often stems from its veracity, context, or the prestige of the source where it originates. Moreover, widespread dissemination of the quotation through various media platforms, including traditional and social media, can amplify its detrimental effects and make it difficult to control or mitigate the damage caused. Consequently, organizations, public figures, or individuals often take prompt actions to address, refute, or rectify such quotations in order to minimize the harm inflicted and protect their reputations.
Etymology of DAMAGING QUOTATION
The etymology of the words "damaging" and "quotation" can be traced back to different origins.
- Damaging: The word "damaging" originates from the verb "damage", which dates back to the 14th century. It comes from the Old French word "damagier" meaning "to damage" or "to inflict loss upon". This Old French term is derived from the Latin word "damnum", meaning "loss" or "harm".
- Quotation: The word "quotation" comes from the Latin verb "quotare", which means "to mark or number" or "to observe the number of". This verb was derived from the Latin word "quotus", meaning "which in order", "how many", or "what number".
