We’ll get into it (from here).
On Twitter, author Mary Robinette Kowal asked a sensible question that went viral:
Am I the only one who hears “masks” and wonders if people wear “shoes”?
– Mary Robinette Kowal (@MaryRobinette) August 14, 2020
Kowal’s question comes at a time when compound face mask has been used frequently as a fancy term for tampons worn on the face by people trying to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
The CDC recommends that everyone wear a mask face mask in public, as they can help limit the virus by blocking respiratory droplets that can be spread through coughing or sneezing. — Hanna Horvath, NBCNews.comSeptember 14, 2020
Two Hillsborough County Commissioners Want to Consider Revoking County Order face mask That rule has been in place since June. — CT Bowen, Tampa Bay TimesSeptember 17, 2020
Definition dictionary face mask is “a mask or visor that protects the face or part of the face”, with a specific medical meaning referring to the type we are all familiar with today:
(1): a visor (such as polypropylene fiber or cotton) for the mouth and nose that is specially worn to reduce the spread of infectious agents (such as viruses or bacteria)
There are also specific senses to cover cage-like protective equipment worn during sports (such as those of football players and hockey goalkeepers) and mouthpieces used to facilitate breathing (such as oxygen or anesthetic).
Mask is defined by many dictionary meanings, many of which refer to something that covers or protects the face. There are implications for masks used for camouflage or costume (such as in theatres), as well as carved masks used as decoration or part of a ritual. You will also find specific senses that match the mask types identified at face mask.
Mask may have other meanings related to concealment, such as a tool to block light through in photography or a decorative piece that conceals something unsightly (such as a heating vent) .
But when it comes to something you wear, it’s fair to assume that the idea of covering or protecting your face is inherently mask. That is what is assumed, for example, when we talk about a ski mask or mud mask. When you hear those terms, you know where the mask is going.
So is there any point to say face mask instead of plain ol’ mask? It seems not. But while face mask may be considered redundant, it is hardly the only phrase in English that can make such a claim.
And when it comes to getting a message across to a few people about how and where to wear a mask, perhaps a small reminder might not be such a bad thing.
Categories: Usage Notes
Source: vothisaucamau.edu.vn
