Word of the Day

nuance: nu·ance (nōō'äns', nyōō'-, nōō-äns', nyōō-) : n. A subtle or slight degree of difference, as in meaning, feeling, or tone; a gradation. Expression or appreciation of subtle shades of meaning, feeling, or tone: a rich artistic performance, full of nuance.

An example of usage, courtesy of the Associated Press, in a story titled, "Gay activists jarred by California marriage defeat" (Nov. 5, 2008):

Obama had a nuanced position on the issue, saying he opposes gay marriage while also speaking out against Proposition 8.

Granting that Proposition 8 is an incredibly complicated and lengthy initiative measure (5 whole sentences) and has lots of big words ("California," for example), I suppose it's possible to have a nuanced position regarding it. The proposition states:

SEC. 7.5. Only marriage between a man and a woman is valid or recognized in California.

So...the president-elect is against gay (homosexual) marriage but also against defining marriage as between a man and woman (heterosexual marriage).

Hmmmm. Perhaps the reporters confused this word with "nuance."

Comments

[Eric]

The difference between the word "nuanced" and "contradictory" is, well, more than a nuance.